Residents angry at the level of service provided by bus companies in York have made renewed complaints about timetabling, bus routes and the No 4 ftr service at a meeting in the city.

About 25 people gathered at the Explore York library learning centre to voice their concerns to Ian Humphreys, managing director at First West and North Yorkshire and Peter Taylor, operations manager of First York, following a similar meeting last November. A number of complaints were raised about buses not arriving frequently enough or on time, especially relating to the No 1 service from Wigginton to Chapelfields.

One resident claimed that despite the promise of six buses operating every hour, on some occasions travellers had to wait 40 minutes.

First’s policy of providing travellers with “a frequent service” of a minimum of six buses per hour, rather than providing a full timetable, was also criticised.

In response, Mr Humphreys said: “I take on board all the comments about timetabling, but we also get complaints the other way.

“People complain with a fixed timetable because buses have to stop if they are ahead of time halfway round their route, but they may run into a jam in the second half making them 10 minutes late anyway.

“We found the frequent service approach to be the best way so that we do not waste time.”

The ftr service was criticised again for being unsuitable for the city’s small road system and not providing audio announcements for visually-impaired users, despite the technology being installed on the bus.

George Mountain, 69, of Holgate, said: “All I want is a bus service that is made problem-free and a comfortable ride.

“It is not enjoyable for passengers when the buses have to go down narrow roads and mount kerbs.”

Hugh Bayley, York Central MP, who chaired the meeting, said: “These meetings are important as it allows the bus companies, the council and the public to communicate.

“First York’s representatives listened to people’s concerns and agreed to go away and think about them.

“Most people said they found this very helpful.”