A TAXI driver fears that plans to use 53-seater buses on a subsidised late-night service through the city will cause misery for Worcester families living along the routes.

Lesley Borthwick, secretary of Worcester Taxi Association, has condemned moves to start the service from Dines Green to Warndon and is now calling for a more universal travel token system to be put in place.

The £40,000 scheme has been funded from the Government's Urban Bus Challenge Fund and the six-month trial is due to start on Friday, December 6. The evening fares will be £1.50.

The taxi drivers also fear the new services will threaten their livelihoods and are meeting tonight to discuss the issue.

"This is £40,000 of taxpayers money which is not being spent wisely," said Mrs Borthwick.

"First of all, we believe they will be using 53-seater buses for the service, which will run from 11.45pm to 3.45am.

"Just imagine the noise of these vehicles stopping and starting at bus stops - it would be far more economical and quieter to use those 20-seater people carriers.

"You also have to look at the safety issue. Young girls will be tempted to catch these buses home after a night out but will have to walk to their homes from the stop."

Mrs Borthwick said her members would have preferred to see a token system being introduced which would include taxis, buses and trains.

"This way people would have a choice of how to spend their tokens and not feel compromised into taking a cheap bus home," she said.

Committee chairman David Clark has already told taxi drivers that Worcestershire County Council has made its final decision. A report is now being prepared to take into account the views of the drivers.

Austin Birks, human resources and strategy manager with First in the Midlands, said the buses were likely to be the larger 53-seaters.

"Basically we will be operating under subsidies from Worcestershire County Council so they will ultimately dictate the size, departure times and where they go," he said.

"By running the new service we are hoping to generate new customers, such as people leaving clubs, and clear the city centre late at night."