A VITAL bus service due to be axed at the end of the month is due to be taken over - by the very firm which stopped operating the route more than 18 months ago.
It has been announced First will start running the 61a from May 27, a day after rival company Pete's Travel stop operating the popular route, considered a lifeline for scores of pensioners.
Pete's stepped in to take over the route after First announced it was to axe the service in October 2001.
Worcestershire County Council's customer services officer Ken Radbourne confirmed First would be taking over the 61a with financial assistance from the county council.
And another service due to be axed by Pete's on May 26 has been saved and will be operated by a Henley coach firm.
Johnson's (Henley Ltd) will start running the 178 from Redditch to Birmingham via Wythall.
Tony Miller, of Wythall, campaigned with other residents after plans to axe the route were first announced.
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