A RIBBLE Valley bus scheme launched by Prince Charles is celebrating its first anniversary after carrying 20,000 passengers.
The subsidised Bowland Transit scheme has four buses, named after moorland birds, is designed to link with commercial bus and train services.
Its buses will travel off-route by prior arrangement, have easy access and can carry cycles.
The scheme received more than £600,000 from Lancashire County Council, East Lancashire Partnerships, the Countryside Agency and the Government's Rural Challenge Fund.
Project manager Sue Buckley said the numbers of residents, visitors and schoolchildren using the buses had staggered her. Research to find out what people really wanted had paid dividends.
County Coun Jean Yates, who has cabinet transport responsibilities, said: "The area has long needed a solution to its transport problems.
"This has made a big difference to people in rural communities."
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