PROTESTERS spoke out against proposed bus cuts during a demonstration in York this afternoon.

A rally organised by new pressure group York Bus Forum took place in Parliament Street to oppose City of York Council's plans to axe bus subsidies on certain routes.

The council is considering the cuts in a bid to shave £350,000 off its annual bill, with councillors due to vote on these proposals on Wednesday.

Campaigners urged shoppers to sign their petition just yards from a "bus surgery" where people could speak to a council representative, First York, Arriva and Transdev about local services.

John Bibby, of York Bus Forum, said: "Our argument is simple - no bus cuts.

"We should put a little bit more on the council tax instead.

"An extra £2 per person per year would mean we could avoid the cuts."

Mr Bibby added: "We want to expand the bus service. We want more buses, better buses and cleaner buses.

"Increasing council tax slightly is a way of doing this."

York Bus Forum, which already has 60 members, believes the cuts are short sighted and that a council consultation was "too hurried, too late" and had "too little evidence".

Another speaker, York Green Party's Ginnie Shaw said: "This is really about providing sustainable transport in the city of York.

"More buses will meant less cars and will benefit everyone."

A 14-year-old bus user said he and 45 fellow pupils relied on the threatened number 20 bus service to get from Heworth to Huntington School every day.

"We need your support to stop that happening so that children can get their education,2 he said.

"We need that bus. It's so important.

"We need to stop the council cuts because it is such a vital service.

"They don't talk to young people to get their views. it's just disgraceful."

Julian Ridge, City of York Council's better bus area programme manager, said: "The report about the changes to bus services is available on the council's website.

"This reports the consultation process. No decision has been made yet."