We’ve had further correspondence with First regarding the reliability of the number 4 service. They say that the service achieved over 90% reliability between May and July. We are unclear how the reliability of a service which is supposed to run at “frequent intervals”, according to the timetable, is assessed.

First are expecting to make timetable changes in October to co-include with the arrival of additional students at York University. They will be “delivering a frequency and resource increase which should drive up performance”.

The delays and “bunching” on the route, over the last week or so, are blamed on road works in Heslington Road. These were due to be completed on 24th August, so we will be checking whether things have improved.

We are less convinced that the “bunching” on the inward leg (from Acomb to the city centre) can be attributed to road works (there haven’t been any on that section of the route, yet tandem working is frequent).

One resident reported to us that no less than 4 buses were heading into the City on 22nd August – all within sight of each other.

There are a range of issues that need to be addressed. These include the use of GPS systems to regulate the separation of individual services, bus design (to allow for easier access and egress for buses) and ways to reduce the time taken for fare collection.

The issue has attracted media attention with some correspondents pointing to similar historic problems. Convoy working wasn’t nearly as big an issue with the ftr in our view …but there you go.

They claim also that there are similar issues on other services in the City.

The Council has run a “Quality Bus Partnership” for a number of years. It holds quarterly meetings. These meetings (which are held in private) bring together passenger representatives, bus operators and the Council. The minutes of the last meeting can be found here http://tinyurl.com/York-QBP-18th-June-2012.

This is one forum at which issues can be raised. The next meeting is being held on 17th September.