PEOPLE are being put off using public transport as buses designed with low floors have become scarce on some routes.

Residents in Stockton have been complaining that, despite newly-adapted bus stops across the town, the low-floor buses are rarely seen.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Julia Roberts said the council had invested money to raise the level of many bus stops, to enable people with wheelchairs, pushchairs and shopping trollies, to get on low-floor buses.

But she said in some areas across the town, people were no longer sure when the low-floor buses would turn up, making the improved bus stops irrelevant.

The councillor for Bishopsgarth and Elm Tree said: "Over the past few years, thousands of pounds of public money has gone into remodelling bus stops in Stockton to fit low-floor buses, yet the operators have pulled those vehicles off many of the runs in my ward."

John Fletcher, Liberal Democrat councillor for Eaglescliffe, said: "Some years ago, in the teeth of local opposition, public money was spent on a Bus Green Route, from Stockton to Yarm, to encourage more people to switch from cars to more environmentally-friendly buses.

"Now, Eaglescliffe people waiting at stops improved with public money are faced with a private company's old vehicles with three steps and vibration."

Tony Batty, commercial manager for Arriva North East, said: "Viva Tees Valley saw the service between Yarm and Stockton become every ten minutes at even intervals, something that the council and our customers have asked for in the past. This is service 7. This route is scheduled to be operated by midi-buses.

"Prior to the network review, Stockton depot had 25 midi-buses, of which six were low-floor.

"This number did not change as a result of our service changes. The way in which some services are operated means that a longer cycle is involved. This results in the low-floor buses being seen slightly less often in the Yarm area than was previously the case."

Councillor Bob Cook, Stockton Borough Council's cabinet member for regeneration and transport, said: "We are concerned that non-low-floor buses are now operating on the 20 route (Stockton to Yarm) and we are discussing this matter with Arriva.

"The council is investing £100,000 a year on raised kerbs and we expect operators to put on low-floor buses."