A VITAL bus link between Petersfield and Bordon could live to fight another day following a cash handout from East Hampshire District Council. It is now likely that the pilot X73 bus service, which runs on Thursdays could be extended beyond June as previously agreed, thanks to a grant of £408. At a meeting of East Hampshire District Council's central area community meeting on Tuesday, transport officer Gwil Williams said he hoped the once weekly service was merely "the tip of the iceberg" for future bus improvements. The original number 38 service, operated by Stagecoach, ran from Portsmouth to Petersfield, passing through Liss, Greatham, Bordon and Whitehill to Farnham and Aldershot. However, in April 2002, Hampshire County Council withdrew its subsidy for the route north of Liss Forest. This meant that Bordon and Whitehill lost its public transport links with its southerly neighbours. But following concern from residents in Liss, Greatham, Blackmoor and Bordon, a pilot service, X73, was started in July 2005. Operated by AMK, it was to operate each Thursday for six months, travelling between Petersfield and Bordon, giving people access to Tesco and The Forest Centre at Bordon and to shopping, health and leisure facilities in Petersfield. He said: "This is hopefully the tip of the iceberg. We would look to extend it later. "There has been a lot of support from the elderly and those who don't have cars." Judy Onslow said a cautious approach was required in order to help the service get off the ground. Nigel Paren, welcomed news that the service looked like being extended. He said: "We are just about to lose our greengrocers and we have already lost our florist. That underlines the importance of this bus service." But Guy Stacpoole argued progress was too slow and said a daily service should be introduced in the near future. He told members: "I'm very much in favour of continuing this service, but his all seems so small and short sighted. "How much longer do we have to look at it before we decide it is working? Can't we have a better and more frequent service by June?" The total cost of extending the service will be more than £2,040. Hampshire County Council has agreed to pick up the bill for £1,224. EHDC would finance the remaining £816.