A BUS link between Petersfield and Bordon has been given a stay of execution thanks to a grant from East Hampshire District Council. But the long-term future of the number 73 service, which runs on a Thursday, is still under a cloud, with funding likely to dry up early next year. At a meeting of EHDC's cabinet last week, members voted in favour of handing out £4,778 to keep the bus going until the end of the financial year. Rural access portfolio holder Geoffrey Whittle told the cabinet: "This is a valuable service and I think we should encourage residents to use sustainable transport. "My recommendation is that we should continue to support it until the end of the financial year. "We should talk to the town and parish councils to see if they will make a contribution and then decide whether we should continue the service." But Judy Onslow sounded a note of caution. "At the end of this year we might not continue. We need to look more at community buses." Speaking after the meeting, Adam Carew said he was pleased the bus would continue until the end of the financial year to provide a boost to the areas between the two towns. But, he added, it would be more effective if it operated on a Wednesday to take advantage of Petersfield market. He said: "County axed this pilot service in the latest round of bus cuts and it was due to end in August. "I wrote to EHDC leader Ferris Cowper, as did Whitehill Town Council, and urged EHDC step in to help save this project. I gather other parish councils did the same, so I am sure people will be pleased with the result. "The only slight problem is that they have not seized the opportunity to change the day from Thursday to Wednesday as suggested.  "We believe switching the day would see an increase in usage by passengers travelling south to go to Petersfield market, but we are grateful all the same.  "Although it was only ever a pilot service, it was premature of the county council to cut the  X73 before the town's accessibility study could be completed and taken into consideration. "The free bus pass to pensioners only came in in April, so these extra months should help us access the impact of that more effectively.  "We need more people from Whitehill and Bordon to use this service, so I hope EHDC will now pull out all the stops to market the service in this area." • Stagecoach takes over 94 bus - P3