Bradford's biggest bus company is calling in an independent market research company to gauge reaction to its pioneering overground bus service.

The move comes as controversy rages over the system - which is modelled on the London underground - and extensive changes to services.

People living in the Thorpe Edge area have submitted a 4,000-name petition to First Bradford about changes, and a storm has blown up because there is now no through bus service between Bradford and Ilkley.

But many passengers say they are delighted and their services in and out of the city have improved.

Today, Gareth Logan, chairman of Thorpe Edge Community Forum, said a further 1,000 people had signed the petition since it went to the company last week and the protesters were now linking with Allerton and other parts of Bradford.

He said: "We welcome the market research but it has come a bit too late. The new services aren't working.

"The removal of the direct Thorpe Edge is critical but there are other routes where there are many difficulties."

The company has spent £10 million on new buses to operate the service, which follows Glasgow as the second in Britain.

A First Bradford spokesman said: "We are researching what people think about it. The response so far is a mixture and some people are very satisfied. We are getting a positive feedback and have made some service changes.

"The market research is normal procedure and we will tweak services where necessary."

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth (Con, Ilkley) welcomed the research.

But she added: "It may be that 80 per cent of people like it, but if there are 20 per cent having problems they should not be ignored." She said the latest complaint she had received was about children travelling from Ilkley to St Mary's School, Menston.

"There might be many other families with difficulties once the schools reopen," she said.