THE future of a vital bus service has been secured after a new operator was found for the route.

Fears had been raised that the 127/128 route which serves Guilden Morden, Bassingbourn and Royston, would be affected by service cuts when the contract with current operator, Charter Travel, is terminated at the end of this month.

But now a new firm, Cozy Travel, has agreed to take over the route.

Bassingbourn’s County Councillor Linda Oliver (pictured) said she was “pleased as punch” that a new deal had been agreed.

She said: “It really is terrific news. You hear so many negative stories about local transport but I never had any doubt we would be able to find a new operator.”

Cozy Travel will take over the route on April 2, and Cllr Oliver said the timetable will remain largely unchanged, with only a few “minor tweaks”.

She said: “Reliability is the most important thing and it’s great we’ve been able to secure a well-known local company to take over. Most of the people who use this bus don’t have a car so it really is a vital service.

“There will be some sadness because the passengers have got to know the drivers so well over the years, to the extent that some of them exchange Christmas cards, but I’m sure new relationships will form.”