People power rescues bus service

East Yorkshire Motor Services confirmed it would be bringing back the old 76 service at the end of October, which was made hourly earlier this year. Villagers in Ottringham, Patrington, Hollym and Withernsea will benefit.

Campaigner Lynne Rudd, of Ottringham, who collected a 120-name petition, said changes to services had left buses packed:

“You couldn’t get a seat, you had to stand. Sometimes by the time it came from Withernsea it was full. We all combined together, we sent petitions in, we went through the parish councils and we went through MP Graham Stuart.

“I think in the end with people complaining and sending letters in, it’s done a good job.”

Company planning manager Tony Randerson said: “It’s unusual to get that much reaction. Sometimes we can accommodate people and sometimes unfortunately the answer has to be no.”

Earlier this week company chief Peter Shipp warned that fuel cost rises, a freeze on fuel tax rebates and a cut in concessionary travel reimbursements would lead to cuts and “almost certainly” fare increases.