A ‘VITAL’ local bus service will be protected until June, thanks to funding from Pembrokeshire County Council.

The Neyland Dial-a-ride service helps people who can’t drive, can’t use normal service buses, or simply don’t live on a bus route, to get where they need to go.

It is for all ages, and offers free travel to those with a valid bus pass, but for the last year has been running at a loss.

Until last November, the service was funded through the Rural Development Plan for Wales (RDP), with money coming from the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

The county council had agreed to take over the funding until the end of March, giving Pembrokeshire Voluntary Transport (PVT) time to increase passenger numbers.

County councillor, and Mayor of Neyland, Simon Hancock welcomed the announcement that the county council would be stepping in to assist the service.

He said Neyland Town Council would now be looking to work with other community councils in the area to see if further financial assistance could be provided, to help keep the bus on the road.

“We’re keen to keep the route going, but it wouldn’t be fair for Neyland to pay for all of it,” he said.

The bus currently serves Neyland, Honeyborough, Burton, Houghton, Hill Mountain, Rosemarket, Sardis, Port Lion, Llangwm, Hook, Troopers Inn, Johnston, Llanstadwell, Waterston, and Mastlebridge.

All Wales bus pass holders travel free, while other passengers pay a fare equivalent to the normal bus fare for the journey.

For more information, or to book your seat, call 0800 783 1584.