IT IS the high-tech bus of the future - but good old conductors may be set to return to York's ftr super buses following problems with the ticket machines.

The move is being considered after Peter Edwards, commercial director of operator First, admitted: "Everyone knows the ticket machines have been the real Achilles heel."

Mr Edwards said the company may recruit a number of "customer service posts" to help out as thousands of new university students descended on York.

He said the jobs, likely to be only a temporary measure, were to give students unfamiliar with the ftr route a disruption-free journey.

But the move comes after continuing criticism of the ftr since it hit the city streets in May. The Press has received a series of letters from passengers frustrated with its ticketing arrangements.

Last month, we reported how Theresa Hope, of Foxwood, collected a ticket with the date 1980 printed on it - and was then grilled by an inspector.

The Press understands the new staff would operate in a similar way to those employed to help out after the launch of the ftr, which runs on the University of York to Acomb route, the city's fastest growing passenger service.

It would see staff on hand on buses to give advice and help with the ftr's on-board ticket machine.

"We may need to recruit some customer service posts," Mr Edwards said. "This is a busy time with the influx of new students who may be unfamiliar with the ftr arrangements.

"It is a measure to smooth their journey and make it disruption free. It is likely to be a temporary arrangement. Everyone knows the ticket machines have been the real Achilles heel. We are desperately trying to find ways to make these work more effectively."

"We are exploring a range of different options because it is taking longer to get a ticket than we anticipated when ftr was launched."

Mr Edwards said the company was continuing to work hard to try and solve the difficulties with the ticket machine.

Council leader Steve Galloway said earlier this month he had met with First directors to discuss issues over the ftr. He said he did not believe the existing ticket machine was "suitable for purpose" and believed that a fresh approach was required.

He said today: "I'm pleased that First have acted promptly following the meeting that I had with them. I highlighted that the ticketing arrangements on the ftr were the source of most criticisms.

"Employing conductors on the buses will go a long way towards reducing boarding times, which are the root cause of many of the service's bunching problems.

"It will also address the inability of the ticket machines to give change or take transport tokens.

"I understand that the company are modifying all the fleet to eliminate any remaining mechanical reliability weaknesses before the end of November.

"I'm confident that the changes will make the ftr the first choice transport for more residents."