A NEW community bus service could be set up in Witney amid fears threat to subsidies could leave vulnerable people in villages stranded.

The bus service, which would be funded and run by those who use it, is being put forward after Oxfordshire County Council leaders agreed to cut subsidies to 118 mainly rural routes to save £3.7m.

County councillor for Witney South and Central Laura Price, who lives in Witney, said: “We could lose all the council-run bus routes in the town. This would have a huge impact on elderly people. It would be dreadful for them.”

Calls have been made for those interested in getting involved to step up and suggest ways such a service could work.

Among ideas that could be floated is that of a minibus with volunteer drivers, serving neighbourhoods that wanted it.

All subsidised bus routes in the county could lose the extra money they receive from the county council, as leaders attempt to find the latest savings of £70m.

Under threat of being axed are the 213 and the 214, which serve the centre of Witney.

Labour group leader on West Oxfordshire District Council Duncan Enright is backing the idea which could be funded through passengers paying for tickets, developers building homes around Witney and also local employers. Mr Enright added: “It would cost tens of thousands of pounds, depending on how many people used it, how many routes it covered and how many drivers we had.”

Mum-of-two Melissa Hitchman, who lives in Thorney Leys, said: “It sounds like a good idea. It’s bad for Witney if they cut the services, as those people bring in money to the town.”

To get involved, email duncan.enright@gmail.com or laura.price@oxfordshire.gov.uk