THE MARLOW town bus service could be under threat after council contributions in two parishes went up by around £1,000 each.

The 160 service, which travels in and around Marlow, was previously paid for by Marlow Town Council who invoiced Great Marlow and Little Marlow parish councils for their contributions.

But after both parish councils approached Buckinghamshire County Council directly for payment, the amount has increased by £1,178 for Little Marlow and £942 for Great Marlow.

This is because the amount will now be calculated by mileage as opposed to passenger numbers, for which the town council previously charged parishes.

At a meeting, Little Marlow Parish Council refused to agree to the amount, which would come into force next year, and instead said that it would look at "alternative arrangements" for transport.

This could include withdrawing from the service altogether in favour of cheaper transport arrangements.

Chairman Dallas Banfield said that not enough people were using the service and that the money, which pays for the service on Tuesdays and Fridays, could be wasted.

He said: "For three people a day it is not worth it but we do need to offer an alternative between now and then the next financial year."

Last year, Little Marlow paid £775 to the town council as its contribution towards the running cost, with Great Marlow paying £1,206.

But both approached the county council for direct payment when the town council demanded more money to cover administration costs.

They thought that by dealing with the county council directly, their contributions would be reduced.

But the county refuses to calculate costs through passenger numbers and after calculating mileage percentages, the amounts shot up.

Little Marlow was asked to pay £1,953, which is 22.7 per cent of the new £8,614 operating cost to the county council.

Great Marlow was asked to pay £2,148, which is 24.9 per cent.

Meanwhile, the town council's rate was reduced to £4,513 from £6,633, which is 52.4 per cent.

Great Marlow agreed to press ahead with the new charges despite concerns.

Eileen Court, clerk, said: "We are concerned but that is the amount the county wants to charge us and if they think it is a fair rate, then we have to pay it. We don't want to lose the service."

Cllr Maurice Oram told the town council that he was "concerned" by the increases, which could threaten the bus service in both areas.

The new cost calculations are based on the total amount of miles that the bus travels in each parish on Tuesdays and Fridays.