LATE-night bus services along a popular route in East Lancashire have been saved – for now.

Four services on the 464 line were placed in jeopardy in February when county councillors withdrew subsidies.

Rossendale Council stepped in with temporary funding for the buses, running from Haslingden to Rochdale through Bacup, Rawtenstall and Accrington, which officially expired last Saturday.

But now Rossendale Bus has confirmed it will operate two of the affected services on a commercial basis.

And county councillors have had a change of heart over the remaining two buses – for a six-month trial period.

County councillor Tim Ashton, transport cabinet member, has now approved a £4,820 subsidy for the 2140 and 2240 Rochdale to Haslingden services.

Rossendale Bus will run the 2123 service between Rawtenstall and Bacup and the 2138 service from Bacup to Haslingden.

Richard Jones, the county council’s environment director, said in a report that all of the county’s subsidised bus services were being reviewed as part of the authority’s new 10-year local transport plan.

He said: “Whilst this work is being undertaken, it is recommended that Lancashire County Council subsidises the operation of the 2140 and 2240 journeys for a six-month trial period, pending the introduction of a new criteria and a further review.”

An initial review of passenger numbers, on the two subsidised services, show there are around 23 passengers per journey, bringing in around £7,220 in revenue from ticket sales.