A BUS route connecting Kelso, Jedburgh and Hawick has been bailed out by Scottish Borders Council - but only for three months.

Operators First alerted the local authority last month of their intention to withdraw Service 20 as it was losing money.

And from mid January it will cost Scottish Borders Council almost £32,000 to keep the fleet running for a 12 weeks continuation.

Community leaders in the three main towns affected, as well as many of the villages which rely on the service, were notified at the start of this week.

Richard Gordon, chair of Jedburgh Community Council, told the Border Telegraph: “Until we know the extent of any service cuts proposed, it is difficult to be too specific. But the service 20 provides a vital link to all the communities on its route.

“It is especially important that those who use the service to travel to and from work don’t lose out in any rearrangement of provision. The same applies regarding visits to the community hospitals in Hawick and Kelso.

“The service also provides the opportunity for travel to and from Carlisle on the service 95. So that will have to be taken into account.” Only two early morning trips from Jedburgh to Hawick are currently subsidised by Scottish Borders Council.

And First claim that without financial support the rest of the Service 20 runs are inviable.

In a letter sent out by the local authority’s passenger transport manager John Dellow, he stated that it was unlikely the service could be retained in its entirety after the 12-weeks extension.

And he also warned that additional services on the route which are operated by Peter Hogg and Perryman’s also faced an uncertain future.

During the three-months continuation period a study will be carried out into passenger numbers in a hope of providing a revised timetable.

A Scottish Borders Council spokesperson told us: “Following notice of First Bus’ intention to withdraw their Route 20 service as of Monday, January 12, Scottish Borders Council moved quickly to ensure the continuation of the service until a new contractor can be found.

“Following discussions with First Bus an agreement has been reached which will see the firm continue to operate the service until the end of March 2015. This will enable the council to examine passenger data and requirements and consult with councillors and local communities and examine future options.

“Two Route 20 early morning journeys each way between Jedburgh and Hawick on weekdays are provided by First on behalf of the council. All other First Bus journeys on the route are operated on a commercial basis.

“Additional Route 20 services provided on behalf of the council and operated by Peter Hogg and Perryman’s Buses are unaffected.” First Borders confirmed that they will continue to operate the route until April.

A spokesperson said: “We are pleased to confirm that, following discussions with Scottish Borders Council, arrangements are now in place for Service Route 20 to continue to operate until April 4 with its support.

“First Scotland East, as a business, could no longer justify running this service independently, given it has been operating at a considerable loss for a number of years. During the period of this contract Scottish Borders Council will consider options for the longer term future of this bus service.”