A West Cumbrian bus route under threat of being withdrawn can now continue.
The 217 service, which covers Frizington, Lamplugh, Dean and Cockermouth, will carry on.
It is thanks to the £5m in funding Cumberland Council received from the Government in November to improve bus services and a slice of it means the 217 service is now financially viable.
Cumberland Council said it will continue until a pilot scheme is established.
It said it had been working closely with a number of voluntary groups as well as Stagecoach to enhance local bus services, making them more sustainable and responsive.
The council conducted a public consultation, with over 3,000 residents sharing their views on the routes, frequencies, and service improvements that matter most to them.
Now, the council said, it was actively working with bus operators to bring these improvements to life where possible.
Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven & Workington, said: “I’m delighted that the council has confirmed that they will be saving the 217 bus service using some of the £5 million funding provided by the Government this year to support local bus services.
“I’ve been working with the 217 bus users group and local parish councils on this for many months and it is a real demonstration of partnership between the MP, Government and council to deliver for communities.
“My hope is that the council will now look at expanding this service to provide a regular timetable and connect these villages not just into Cockermouth but also to Workington.
“I also want to see the remainder of the funding used to connect Parton and Moresby Parks to the bus network and villages in the south of my constituency connected to Egremont and Whitehaven with a new service.”
