BUS users in York are being left in the dark about changes to the city's bus services, according to a senior Labour councillor.

Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, who is opposition transport spokeswoman on City of York Council, fears changes to a number of First routes and timetables, which came into effect on Sunday, will have left many passengers bewildered and perhaps even late for work.

After speaking to a number of residents in Fordlands Road, Fulford, on Sunday, she said: "There was real confusion. People told me they had no idea what number the new bus was going to be or what time it was at.

"What happens if someone needs to rely on a bus to get to a hospital appointment? It could cause people real problems."

But Peter Edwards, commercial director with bus group First, said it had been difficult to distribute the information to passengers.

"The problem we have is that if you advertise the changes too early, people run the risk of forgetting about them when they actually come into force," he said.

Mr Edwards said a poster was put up in every First bus a week before the new services began operating.

On the poster, passengers were directed to the Bus Information helpline for further details.

But, according to Coun Simpson-Laing, the lack of timetable information available at bus stops prior to the changes was confusing for people.

"If the council wants people to use public transport more, then they have to make sure the information is there for them to use, especially with major changes like these," she said.

In the shake-up of bus services, two bus numbers, 17 and 27, have disappeared completely, while the 26 now stops in town and no longer goes to Monks Cross, as it did previously.

"People turning up for these buses on Monday morning would have had a shock to find out about the changes," she said.

However, Mr Edwards said he found Coun Simpson-Laing's criticisms somewhat unfair.

"It is not a perfect system and somebody will always turn around and say: 'I didn't know about the changes', whatever efforts we make to keep people informed," he said.

Updated: 10:02 Thursday, September 09, 2004