A councillor has hit out at what she describes as a lack of customer focus on the part of First York. Coun. Ruth Potter, Labour spokesperson for transport issues said she encountered problems when trying to find out why information on the company's website was so out of date.

Coun. Potter said:

"The information for students is out of date and for the academic year 2007/8. This is really not helpful for those students trying to plan ahead, particularly with finances being so tight. On speaking with First, I was told by a member of staff she had no price, no information and no knowledge about the student termly ticket for the next academic year. This is really pretty poor customer service".

And Coun. Potter said she would like to see a further problem in relation to concessionary fares sorted out quickly. She says those with YoZone cards running out this summer have to spend a full month receiving no concessionary fares, even if they are continuing in education from September. She said:

"This is not a policy that is supportive of young people and I would like to see it changed. Yes, young people may be earning money but that is what they are supposed to be doing in order to support themselves as they move into further education. It is completely unreasonable to expect a 16 year old to be forking out full price for a monthly ticket, or full price for single journey tickets, if they are working during August before they are eligible to get a student ticket".

Coun. Potter said she will be speaking with the council to see how, together with First, it can change this anomaly so young people are incentivised to work and support themselves.