A bus service which was due to be axed next month has been given a temporary reprieve after a huge show of support from users.

The 333 Silcox bus, which runs six times a week from Pembroke Dock to Carmarthen via Manorbier, Tenby and St Clears, was due to be axed on November 8th, but bosses now say a reduced service will continue until after Christmas.

Around 85% of the service’s users are free bus pass holders, and the subsidies Silcox claim back from the Welsh Assembly don’t cover the costs, so the route is losing money.

Last Thursday, more than 100 pensioners packed into New Hedges village hall to discuss how the service could be saved with Pembrokeshire Council Council transport officers, Silcox bosses and AM Angela Burns.

Among those at the meeting was Anne Price, who had collected a petition of more than 1,000 signatures in Tenby during three days.

Council transport and fleet manager Hubert Mathias said the subsidy system was the problem because it gives bus depots a flat rate reimbursement for all journeys, making short distance services much more lucrative. He said one of the reasons the council wasn’t able to offer Silcox extra assistance was that it would give the company an unfair advantage over other operators who may wish to take up the route.

Silcox managing director, Keith Silcox, also explained that while fuel prices were now falling, the government’s two pence increase in petrol duty would continue to hinder profitability, meaning the 322 service from Haverfordwest to Carmarthen was also under review.

The issue of people visiting dentists and doctors in Carmarthenshire was also raised by south county AM Angela Burns.

“I think there’s an absolute moral imperative on the government to ensure that people have equal, fair access to health services,” she said, before telling the meeting that she had already written to a number of government officials for funding help.

“People power really can work and does work if we all pull together,” added the AM.

The next day the strength of support looked to have paid off, with Silcox announcing that it would continue a reduced version of the 333 service on Wednesdays and Fridays from November 12th.

“What we intend to do now is to continue the route on a Wednesday and Friday as a temporary measure until we can find a more permanent solution,” said Silcox traffic manager, Bert Dix.

“The route will continue certainly until after Christmas.”