COUNCILLORS have been accused of wasting £1.3 million of public money on the new ftr superbus - because it has only one more seat than an ordinary bus, and 14 fewer than a bendy-bus.

John Galvin, the city's Tory party agent, said he had no argument over First's decision to buy the ftr.

"That's a commercial decision which they are entitled to make," he said.

But he did question City of York Council's decision to pay for improvements to the highway on the proposed route of the bus - even if it was £1.3 million of Government money rather than local council taxpayers' cash.

"This is still public money that is being spent, and I believe it's a waste of money," he said.

He said he was particularly critical after discovering that the bus would have only slightly more seats than an ordinary bus and fewer than the bendy bus.

"How can it be worth spending so much money on something that doesn't have significantly more seats?" he asked.

"It's nice to be able to travel on a luxury bus. I'd enjoy travelling in a Rolls Royce, but that doesn't mean the council should spend public money enabling me to do that."

Peter Edwards, commercial director with First, said the ftr had 42 seats, compared to 41 on an ordinary bus and 56 on a bendy bus.

But he said the total capacity of the ftr was much greater, with more room for standing passengers.

Updated: 09:27 Tuesday, May 02, 2006