SOME rural bus services in East Yorkshire could be at risk because of funding cuts.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council will reduce the amount it spends on concessionary bus travel by £240,000 in 2014/15, with similar cuts likely in each of the following two years.

Peter Shipp, chairman of East Yorkshire Motor Services, said this could force tough decisions about evening, Sunday and non-peak journeys.

The firm has a depot in Pocklington and runs services to and from York. Mr Shipp said it was not yet possible to identify routes which may be affected.

However, he said: “It’s extremely tough – the council have done pretty well with concessionary fares in the past, but are now starting to say that they will have to trim the funding back. This affects services which are supported by the council, not just commercial services.”

• Pensioners should be allowed to contribute towards their bus fares if it helps to save under-threat rural services, a North Yorkshire MP has said.

Anne McIntosh, MP for Thirsk and Malton, said rules which provide all elderly people with free bus passes or require them to pay full fares should be abolished.

She spoke during a Commons debate as North Yorkshire County Council prepares to cut its bus subsidies by £2 million.