THE future of a vital shuttle bus service, which has provided a route back into work for hundreds of people across Burnley and Pendle, is under review.

Burnley Employment Shuttle Transit (BEST) has already had a number of stays of execution, after its initial three-year Department of Transport funding ran out in 2007.

Operational savings accumulated by BEST bosses, over its first 36 months, provided enough money for the scheme to be extended for a further two years.

Stopgap support was provided for the service in 2009 by the Government and County Hall but this will now run out at the end of March.

Three buses operate around Burnley, Padiham and Nelson, serving the likes of Network 65, Shuttleworth Mead and Lomeshaye business parks from 5.30am to 11pm.

People can ring a dedicated booking line, manned in Burnley, and be picked up from their nearest bus stop, en-route to work.

Until recently the service, which began in 2004, was said to be running at ‘saturation point’, with 2,000 users taking advantage of the shuttle every month.

But with savings of up to £142million being sought by County Hall for 2010-11, transport officials now say only around four people or less are travelling on every journey, and BEST is costing the authority £192,000 annually.

The favoured option being put forward by the county council at the moment is for a ‘dial-a-ride’ style taxi service, which would perform a similar but cheaper alternative. Tenders have already been sought.

Tim Gornall, group manager for bus services at Lancashire County Council, said: “Burnley BEST provides a pre-booked transport service to help people in Burnley and surrounding towns get to work and training opportunities in the area.

“Government funding for the service will end on March 21. The county council has invited tenders to replace Burnley BEST with a dial-a-ride taxi service.

“Once bids for the replacement service have been evaluated, the county council's cabinet member for highways and transport, County Councillor Keith Young, will consider the options and make a decision about the future of Burnley BEST.”