THE bell may have rung on our Save The 324 Campaign, but users of this under-threat bus route are still determined to make a difference. Reporter LISA BOARDMAN joined bus users at Surrey County Council HQ to add pressure to the campaign days before the consultation ends

STANDING in the shadows of Kingston's County Hall, 324 bus users made their final pleas to keep the vital service they had come to depend on.

This route, along with school special buses and other services, has been on the chopping block since the county announced its cash-saving review in November 2009.

Val Milesi, who had already delivered her own 100-strong petition to county chiefs last year, handed in another list of names to Ian Lake, the council's cabinet member for transport.

Along with the petition, Mr Lake accepted an envelope containing 179 coupons backing the Mirror's campaign to save the key route.

Ms Milesi, of Fir Tree Walk, Reigate, said: "Why can't you just reduce bus fares and make it cheaper for everyone? I'm sure more people would use the buses if it was more affordable."

Responding, Mr Lake said the council had to make "tough decisions" but that it would try and consider all options.

Surrey County Council says it costs around £11 million to subsidise bus services in the county. Through its review it aims to slice £4 million from the bill within three to four years.

But the catalyst for the review, claims the council, was spurred by residents' complaints over empty buses.

In spite of a Freedom of Information request regarding the amount of empty bus complaints, the council said it was not able to give this information.

The Mirror has appealed against this response.

Mr Lake told the Mirror: "We are very grateful for the input we have received during this consultation, it's important people have their say before the consultation ends on January 31."

He said the county couldn't afford the level of subsidy at the moment and cuts needed to be made.

Responding to a question over whether the decision has already been made, Mr Lake said: "We are not just going through the motions with this consultation."

He added: "I can promise you the petition and your campaign will be taken seriously, but nothing is set in stone and there are no guarantees."

The council is expected to make a decision in March.