Bus passengers flock to use new village service

A COMMUNITY bus service launched with financial backing from a Yorkshire council has more than doubled its target for passengers.

Members of Barnsley Council agreed to fund the number 25 service, a circular route taking in villages to the west of Penistone, following a decision to axe many conventional services in the district.

The bus service is now carrying 273 passengers a week, against a target of 120 people. A secondary service has now been introduced to reach some of the most outlying villages in the area and councillors heard that has not needed any additional subsidy.

Funding has since been extended, but reduced, from £20,000 to £14,000 and the service which is provided by a notfor-profit organisation, South Pennine Community Transport, looks set to continue, with more than half its operating costs now coming from other sources.