CHESHIRE County Council's controversial list of bus cuts has been temporarily put on hold.
Labour and Liberal Democrat county councillors 'called-in' a decision by the Tory-led authority to slash 37 services in Ellesmere Port and across Cheshire.
They say cutting the council-supported bus routes amounts to a curfew on the young and old.
Labour group leader Derek Bateman, who represents the Central & Westminster Ward in Ellesmere Port, was behind the move.
The bus services will remain unaffected until the issue is discussed by county councillors.
Cllr Bateman said: 'These bus services, particularly in the evening, are a lifeline for many people who without them would feel isolated.
'Simple trips to town, to meet friends or for appointments could not take place.
'Let us not forget that while 18 supported bus services face revision, a further 19 face the axe.
'Many residents have contacted us with their views - the majority firmly against what is happening.
'That is why this contentious issue needs to be debated further before the final decision is taken.'
Among the routes which could still be cut are:
Friday Only - Neston-Chester - propose to withdraw alternatives on commercial services 22 & 22A.
Sundays and Bank Holidays - 68 Cheshire Oaks-Stanney-Great Sutton - propose to withdraw alternatives for most passengers on services 1 (First), 411 & 412(Arriva).
Monday-Friday (am) - 54 Elton-Helsby-Guilden Sutton-Chester - propose to withdraw alternative by changing bus at Helsby or Cheshire Oaks (Service 36 to 1, 21 or X30). Also on 80 service.
School Days C22 Parkgate-Neston High School - propose to withdraw now. First has revised service 22/22A. There is an alternative commercial journey at the same time and service 272 is to be re-timed.
Meanwhile, the Tories said the following service have been saved:
Sunday evenings - 411, 412 Chester-Ellesmere Port-Birkenhead-New Brighton.
Monday-Saturday evenings - 489 Parkgate/Neston-Liverpool (journeys after 7pm).
Monday-Saturday - 33 Ince/Elton-Chester - the retained journey is 'tied' in with school service and so it is difficult to achieve savings.
Tory council leader Paul Findlow said: 'Regrettably, 19 services will be withdrawn but the figure could have been much greater.
'We are hoping these cut backs and revisions will save £280,000. However that still leaves the council with an overspend of £193,000.'
