Options to reduce funding for bus services will be put out to the public in a second consultation following a council meeting this morning.

Hertfordshire County Council currently subsidises 101 services, or around one quarter of the bus networks in Hertfordshire.

However, the Highways and Waste Management panel met this morning at County Hall, in Hertford, to discuss a recent public consultation over proposals to cut subsidised services running after 6.30pm on weekdays and on Sundays.

Services that could be affected in Potters Bar include the 242 bus to Waltham Cross.

Of the 4,548 people who responded to the consultation, 85 per cent were bus users, half were 55 years of age or over and more than 20 per cent were considered to have a disability.

Responses were received from residents in every district and borough in the county, with the most coming from Hertsmere borough bus users.

The majority of written responses were broadly opposed to the proposed withdrawal of subsidised services after 6.30pm and on Sundays, while less than one per cent of responses were supportive of proposals.

But county councillors have now voted to launch a second consultation regarding three possible options for the cuts, which include:

• Withdrawing funding from contracted services after 7.30pm on Monday to Saturday
• Withdrawing money for those that operate on a Sunday except for routes that directly serve hospitals up to 7.30pm
• Limiting the amount of subsidised funding per passenger journey.

A petition to save the bus services for councillors Leon Reefe and Richard Butler received 1,189 signatures, while the petition organised by the Elstree and Borehamwood residents association was signed by 80 people.

Labour Councillor Leon Reefe, who sits on the council's highways panel, said: “It’s a smack in the face for those people who already responded as it is clear that the people of Hertfordshire don’t want this to go through.”

The new consultation will begin in January and end in March, with the decision being made next May.

Cllr Reefe added: “It’s ridiculous to go to a general election with proposed bus cuts hanging over your heads. The people do not want these cuts, and we will continue to fight against them.

“It is a big mistake.”

Labour councillors attempted to add a fourth option which called for all cuts to be scrapped, however this was rejected by the panel.

The decision for a second consultation will now go to cabinet on November 25 for a final decision.