Melbourn, Cambridgeshire-based A2B Bus & Coach has took over two Cambridgeshire County Council supported routes, from 28 July, after Tower Transit-owned Whippet Coaches handed back the contracts.

The services, route 75 Cambridge-Orwell and 31 Cambridge-Fowlmere-Barley provide a lifeline to rural communities.

A2B’s MD Brian Clifford says he is “pleased to be helping the local community with vital services.”

The firm has hired an Enviro200 to work the route in the interim.

A2B also runs a number of other CCC supported services in Cambs: 7A Hinxton-Whittlesford-Trumpington P&R; 18 Cambridge-Fulbourn; 127 The Mordons-Bassingbourn-Royston and 129 Shepreth-Royston.