by political editor Paul Francis

pfrancis@thekmgroup.co.uk

A move to axe uneconomic bus routes serving some of Kent’s rural villages and communities is on hold after a U-turn by the county council.

KCC had planned to axe subisidies for some services to save more than £600,000, triggering fears that it would leave many elderly and vulnerable people isolated.

However, in an eleventh-hour change to its budget, councillors have backed a proposal to extend funding by £211,000 to ensure current services continue to run until the end of the year.

Campaign groups have warned the cuts to buses supported by councils would hit the most needy.

KCC says decisions about the future of routes will be made in partnership with local councillors, who may have the chance to use local grants to keep routes going.

Cllr Bryan Sweetland (Con), KCC’s cabinet member for transport, said:

"We currently subsidise more than 221 mainly rural, non-commercially viable bus services. There has been a reduction in the funding to support these services. However, I will not be making any substantial reduction in bus services immediately. KCC will continue to fund these services until the end of 2011, which will provide sufficient time for local members, districts and borough councils, parish councils, voluntary and community and church groups and other interested parties to determine whether services can be delivered in another more cost effective way."

He added: "Any new services will be designed and delivered locally, by local people for the local community. Members will have access to various grants and in some cases they may consider that the continuation of a particular bus service or a new locally designed service is a high priority. Again, this is decision making at the local level by local people about a local service."

But while there was a reprieve for bus routes, KCC has resisted calls for a U-turn on its plans to end peak-time concessionary fares for the elderly.

In a move that will save the authority £600,000, county councillors voted to end concessionary fares before 9.30am.

Opposition parties had urged a rethink and there were some misgivings from Conservatives.