Bus chiefs admitted today that Bradford's fleet of bendy-buses was now operating in York.

First has swapped the nine 18-metre long articulated buses for new single-deck ones.

The deal has been agreed with its counterpart in York only two years after the bendy-buses, which cost £170,000 each, were put into service.

At the time First said passengers preferred single-deck buses and drivers were able to supervise people better.

But their introduction also meant that the designers of the £2 million refurbishment of Bradford Interchange had to go back to the drawing board to make room for them and Bradford Council also paid for the re-alignment of places where the buses stopped.

Today a spokesman for First York bus company said passengers were pleased with them and the buses were also proving a hit with tourists because of their novelty appeal.

But news that the buses were no longer in Bradford was greeted with disappointment by passenger transport chiefs.

Councillor Ann Ozolins (Idle, Lib Dem), a Bradford representative on the West Yorkshire Transport Authority, said: "This whole thing has shown lack of foresight. The bill for changing the design of the transport interchange in 1999 would have been high and they have been got rid of these buses in a very short time.

"I know they were not easy to drive in Bradford's streets but a lot of people were happy and liked going on them. They were such a novelty."

But one Bradford bus driver, who did not want to be named, said: "They were very awkward and very unpopular with the drivers. They need clear long distance runs and that's what they are getting in York. They were prestigious and we have had our novelty. But they were very difficult to manoeuvre and there were minor accidents where they went on kerbs."

Councillor John Prestage (Lab, Keighley South), chairman of Bradford Passenger Consultative Committee, said: "I am disappointed. They operated along the route from the city centre to Allerton via the BRI. Before they were brought in, a lot of people complained about double deckers and stairs but after the bendy buses arrived I heard nothing but compliments. "

Peter Edwards, commercial manager for York's First bus company said: "We got the bendy buses for the park and ride services in York. They were the only size of bus we could have used. The reaction of customer has been very positive and visitors to York find them a great novelty."

A spokesman for First in Bradford said: "It was a straight swap and we got new buses in exchange. The bendies fit in better at York."