A BUS route which was due to be cancelled leaving many villagers in the lurch has been saved.

Residents in Elvington and several other villages in East Yorkshire had been told they would no longer be able to catch a morning and afternoon commuter bus into York following changes to the subsidised school bus contracts in the East Riding.

East Yorkshire Motor Services pulled the 195 service from Pocklington as it said it no longer made commercial sense but the route has now been taken on by York Pullman, as numbered route X36, on a trial basis until the end of the year.

Steps to save the route were made as a combined effort by York Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Elvington Parish Council.

The parish chairman, Ian Bailey, said: “I am absolutely delighted with the news because it’s the only way for some people to get to university or college or even to their job.

“The next service is not until 9.15am which is obviously too late.

“It will give people a great deal of relief. Some people were thinking they might have to buy a second car or even move house. For the people that use it, it is vital.”

Mr Bailey said the service was contracted until December and warned that it would be a “use it or lose it” service in the future.

Coun Dave Merrett, cabinet member for city strategy, said: “This is an excellent example of partnership working between local and parish councils in the area.

“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to secure this service for local people travelling to and from work or college.

“I hope that sufficient passenger numbers use the service to guarantee its longer term future.”