HAMPSHIRE bus services were due to go under the microscope again today, with the fate of six routes hanging in the balance.

In July, the contentious decision was made to shave nearly £500,000 off Hampshire County Council's £6m transport budget by cutting dozens of services.

It led to fears that many passengers across the county would be left stranded - especially in the evenings and at weekends.

But the head of the county council's environment department, Councillor Mel Kendal, asked for further reports on some routes, saying that he may reverse his decision on them.

Now there could be a possible reprieve for the First 80B weekday early evening service between Fareham, Titchfield and Southampton and a reduced timetable for the Sunday Stagecoach 69 service between Winchester, Bishop's Waltham and Fareham.

But it looks as if there will be no escape for the First 88A service between Gosport, Rowner and Fareham on Sunday evenings, when an Executive Member for Environment Decision Day takes place in the council's Portal Room this afternoon.

Meanwhile the early evening Monday to Saturday First 34 service between Fareham, Lee-on-the-Solent and Gosport looks set to continue.

It is also recommended that the 8.05pm Stagecoach 5 route between Winchester and Badger Farm on weekdays be continued, as it was found to be well used.

The initial July 24 bus subsidy review was a Hampshire County Council attempt to find more funds to finance spiralling adult service costs.

Among the weekday buses to lose their subsidy were the Stagecoach services between Winchester and Abbot's Barton and from Winchester to Cheriton.

Some services from Southampton to Hamble, and several services in the New Forest, particularly between Lyndhurst and Lymington, were also earmarked for withdrawal.

Cllr Kendal said: "The decision is not about cutting bus services, it's about reducing bus subsidies. There are other ways in which these bus services could be maintained."

Meanwhile Eastleigh Borough Council has come to the rescue of several evening and weekday services in Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh, Hedge End, Hamble, Butlocks Heath and Fair Oak.

Councillors voted to stump up funding for the bus subsidies rather than see the routes vanish altogether.