A bus boss has told a passenger watchdog: "We have made mistakes" as controversy over the multi-million pound Overground scheme rumbles on.

But Andy Campbell, managing director of the First Bradford bus company, has also stressed to Bradford Passenger Consultative Committee that large numbers of people have praised First Bradford for the pioneering scheme, modelled on the London Under-ground.

The colour-coded £10 million bus fleet carries people rapidly in and out of the city centre at peak times.

But there have been thousands of complaints from housing estates and outlying areas where services have been rerouted and in some cases run less frequently.

Now the company is studying the results of extensive market research where passengers were interviewed about the changes after the first few weeks. It says as a result passengers in Woodside may get some changes.

The new system means people have to go on meandering journeys and pay more to get there.

The biggest protests have been in Ravenscliffe and Thorpe Edge, where there are no longer direct services between the estates. A petition containing about 5,000 signatures has been sent to the company.

Coun Danny Mangham (Lab), whose Wyke ward covers Woodside, said: "I am very pleased this is being looked at again and hope there can be changes."

But Coun Ann Ozolins (Lib Dem, Idle) said: "There are still many complaints from my area, where people are very upset that the direct link to Leeds has gone. They say staff are abrupt and arrogant when they ask about it."

Mr Campbell said anyone with complaints about staff should contact the company.

He added: "We admit there are some changes to be made. We have made mistakes and need to sit down and discuss them."