BUS chiefs met with union officials after a York driver was subjected to a terrifying knifepoint ordeal.

Jonathan May, managing director at First, said the meeting had been convened with the Transport & General Workers' Union (TGWU) to "reassure them that the safety of employees and customers were of the very highest priority".

Mr May was speaking only days after a driver was attacked by two youths as he drove past shops in Chapelfields Road, at the Bramham Road junction, on Saturday night.

No money was taken, but the driver was left very shaken by the experience.

Mr May said the bus company, based in James Street, York, would continue to monitor the situation in Chapelfields and was hopeful that an investigation into the circumstances of the attack would prove successful.

Attacks on buses in Chapelfields in the past have forced First to temporarily suspend its late-night service beyond parts of Acomb. But Mr May said this was not an option on this occasion.

"The investigation is ongoing and is looking successful, we are told," said Mr May. "We are monitoring the situation, but clearly the community depends on our services and we would rather work with the community than issue faceless threats about cutting the bus service."

Steve Clarke, of the TGWU, said: "The last thing the drivers want is to withdraw services. But for how long can we continue to go into areas where there are attacks ?

"We want to work with the community, and get them involved, to make things safer. Obviously, the TGWU takes the safety of its members very seriously."

Updated: 10:32 Thursday, May 22, 2003