PASSENGERS in Botley are celebrating the reinstatement of a “lifeline” bus service.

The 4C Dean Court route was scrapped in January 2014, despite fears people would become isolated.

But two years on, operator the Oxford Bus Company has had a change of heart.

It will now run a trial service and is urging passengers to use it to secure its long-term future.

Arbabul Chowdhury, who runs a convenience store and Indian restaurant, said: “We need this because otherwise we are trapped here.”

Mr Chowdhury, whose shop is next door to the former bus stop, said his trade suffered when the service stopped.

He said: “People used to pop in on their way to and from the bus stop but they didn’t come when they no longer needed to walk past.”

The 4C connected Dean Court with Wood Farm in Oxford.

At the time it was halted a 220-strong petition was handed in to Oxford Bus Company pleading with the operator to keep the service.

The company had received complaints about the reliability of service 4, partly due to increased congestion along Botley Road.

It also received complaints of buses getting stuck at Wood Farm due to inconsiderate parking.

The company will reinstate the 4C from February 14.

Priscilla Waugh, one of the founding members of the community centre at Dean Court, said it would give vulnerable residents who visit more independence.

She said: “I think it is a great thing and it will hopefully mean more people will be able to come to the community centre.

“It was a lifeline service to people, and hopefully now they will be able to get around easier.”

On Mondays to Fridays, Dean Court residents will have a service running into the heart of the estate, with buses into Pinnocks Way every 30 minutes.

Phil Southall, managing director of the Oxford Bus Company, said: “We now feel the time is right to return to Dean Court.

“As it is a trial we would like to encourage residents to use the service in order to secure its long-term future.”

On Saturdays there will be a reduced service on the Wood Farm to Botley section of the route to every 15 minutes.

One bus per hour will extend to Abingdon via Wootton and Shippon, and one bus per hour will serve Dean Court.