IT was billed as the bus of the future - but for some sectors of the community, it's taken a step backwards.

Blind and disabled people living in York have voiced serious concerns about the controversial new ftr bus which was launched in the city in May.

Despite its sleek, futuristic design, they say it contains more hazards for people with mobility and visual problems than buses of the past.

Diane Roworth, chief officer of the York Blind and Partially Sighted Society, said: "It's going back instead of forwards in terms of design features. We would not like to see this bus being used in its current form anywhere else. All the feedback has come from people who use the bus who are finding it really hard to use. It's not user-friendly for visually impaired or older disabled people at all."

One of the main problems for blind people was the fact that the bus driver was separated from the customers by being placed low down in front of the vehicle in an individual compartment - making it impossible for blind people to ask him to shout out their stop.

The bus is equipped with an audible announcement system, but it is not currently operating.

"It's even more important that they should work because the driver isn't there," said Diane.

"It's not like a traditional bus - it's almost like he's driving a train. The driver just isn't there to give help and assistance to visually impaired passengers."

Passengers with other mobility problems also struggled with the limited flat surface seating on the front of the bus.

"There are very few seats on the frontthere's nothing to hang on to, it's a big problem for people with disabilities," said Diane.

The society has met chiefs from operator First York to discuss the problem.

First York commercial director Peter Edwards said ftr's design conformed to special specifications for disabled people.

The company was working on resolving the problems with audible announcements, which can be triggered by special fobs worn by blind people, he added.

"We do recognise that particularly for partially sighted people that all important access to the driver has been lost," he said.

As for the issue of raised seating, there were more seats available on a level surface - although there were only four available at the front of the vehicle.

"We are aware of the problem and we are working with them to try to overcome some of the difficulties," said Mr Edwards.

"We have passed them on to the project board. It conforms to the regulations but they certainly have a point."