But the battle to save the No 38 from Petersfield to Whitehill has been lost, under plans which are expected to be rubber-stamped by Hampshire County Council's executive member for environment, Keith Estlin, on Tuesday.
The No 38, provided by commercial operator Stagecoach, stopped operating between Liss Forest and Whitehill from June 2 because the service is provided without financial support of any kind.
The operator said the service, which has been running for five years, was used by some passengers, but not enough to ensure its future.
It was therefore up to Hampshire County Council to find a subsidy for the route - if it was to stay in operation.
On-bus surveys undertaken by the county council and data from Stagecoach's ticket machine failed to prove that the section of the service, covering just two stops at Greatham and Blackmoor, was viable, a report to Mr Estlin stated.
However, Mr Estlin is expected to approve a £60,000 county council subsidy to maintain the section of the service between Petersfield and Liss Forest because it meets value for money criteria.
And, provided Mr Estlin gives the go-ahead, school time journeys from Bordon and Whitehill, taking pupils to schools in Petersfield, will also be secured.
Greatham residents could now be faced with having only service No 72, which operates between Alton and Petersfield and is far less frequent than the No 38.
The No 72 was due to be withdrawn on Saturdays as part of the proposed service reduction package, but it will be retained if Mr Estlin approves the plans.
So, too, will the previously threatened Saturday service on Route No 13, which serves Alton, Whitehill and Liphook.
Under the plans the Saturday service will be reduced to two return journeys and the service between Whitehill and Alton will be retained.
And the No 221/2 Bordon/Whitehill shopping bus, which operates a circular route from Mill Chase Road to the Forest Shopping Centre, via Whitehill and Oakhanger, is also expected to be retained.
But although there is some good news for Whitehill and Bordon residents, Whitehill Town Council has said that it is not prepared to give up its fight to save the No 38 service.
At a recent meeting of the council it was agreed to write to MP James Arbuthnott in a bid to try and secure its future.