BUS cuts could pave the way for new events to help isolated pensioners.

Cllr John Gates fears Transdev Bus' number 20 circular route which runs via Haxby and Wigginton could be axed in City of York Council's latest cutbacks.

The councillor says passengers who rely on it to get into Clifton Moor and the Vangarde Shopping Park will be left without transport.

However, Cllr Gates is planning to host coffee mornings - sponsored by taxi companies - to arrange taxi shares to shopping venues.

He said: "A resident has suggested to me that we could organise coffee mornings and other social events, sponsored by taxi companies and retailers, to arrange taxi-shares to these out of town shopping venues. I know of several sponsors that would be keen to get involved.

"It is an interesting fact that the most popular form of transport across all socio-economic classes is the taxi and you will often see families at out of town supermarkets waiting for taxis to take home their weekly or monthly shop.

"This transport is obviously cheaper than running a car. How much better if two or three families, couples or individuals could share the same cab."

Cllr Gates believes there is little hope of retaining the service because it is already difficult to pay for, but he believes his plans will give people a chance to get out of the house.

He added: "This is one of the least used services that are heavily subsidised so it may be that we can't avoid losing it but it hasn't been decided yet.

"The scheme can also be linked to loneliness and isolation because you can get people together in community groups to share taxis.

"There has been some recent concern about loneliness and isolation, particularly for our older community members. This scheme would also help to tackle that in a useful and positive way."

Anyone interested in attending an event should e-mail: cllr.jgates@york.gov.uk