A RURAL bus service, rescued from being axed last autumn after Pennine buses folded, is proving a success, say public transport watchdogs.

The 580 service between Skipton and Settle, was taken on by Kirkby Lonsdale Coach Hire, despite the route having no passenger fare subsidy.

KLCH agreed to take over the bus route for a trial period of 12 months. It is about half way through that time.

It's operation has been followed by the Southern Dales Transport Action Group which has carried out a "Greenprint for action" outlining how it would like to see the development of regional transport networks.

Colin Speakman, of Friends of DalesBus, said: "The 580 has done very well indeed and is meeting all financial targets and is a success, even in winter. Once the better weather comes and more visitors use the service, it should do even better. "

The only drawback was the afternoon gap when the bus was used on school duties and had cost implications which were being examined by the bus company.

Mr Speakman said the service became the 581 from Settle through Ingleton to Kirkby Lonsdale which was still funded by NYCC and a new Sunday 580/581 was due to start on May 3, the first regular Sunday bus along the A65 for about 30 years.

On a broader level, they were looking to recruit bus user champions for each village along bus routes to ensure timetable literature was distributed and bus time table cases kept clean now that North Yorkshire County Council had dropped that service.

They were also considering establishing "bus buddies" who would help older people, suffering isolation, to have days out on the local bus network.

Proposals were being considered to publish a booklet aimed at residents and visitors which would contain route timetables along with places to visit such as market towns, heritage attractions and walks, all accessible by train and bus.