A community dial-a-bus service between two Donside settlements will be withdrawn this month.
The A2B link between Strathdon and Alford currently operates on a weekly basis between the two communities, but is due to be stopped from August 17.
Now Andrew Bowie, the MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, has called on the council to reconsider scrapping the “vital” service.
Mr Bowie has written to the local authority urging a rethink.
But last night, Aberdeenshire Council’s head of transportation said that recent data showed that the running the service worked out at about £30 per passenger per single journey making it economically unviable.
He added that a local provider said he would step in for affected passengers.
Mr Bowie said: “It is regarded as a vital service for those who rely on the bus to get to Alford each week.
“We are talking here about people in a rural area who may not have access to any other form of transport.
“Constituents use the bus to go to the shops, to attend doctor’s appointments or to pick up prescriptions from the local chemist. These may seem simple tasks if you have a car, but for those reliant on public transport, it can be a lot more difficult.
“My understanding is that the route is being used more now than it was previously and that residents expect that upward trend to continue.
“I have now asked officers at Aberdeenshire Council to review this decision and explore any possible way of retaining the service.”
The council’s transport chief Ewan Wallace said: “Aberdeenshire Council will be responding to Andrew Bowie MP shortly to outline the reasons for withdrawing the bus service.
“Unfortunately the running costs for the service are very high and there are a low number of passengers currently using it.
“Recent data shows that the average cost per person is nearly £30 for each single passenger trip, which is poor value for money.
“The transport co-ordinator for Silver Circle, a Strathdon charity which provides a local mini bus service, has confirmed passengers affected by the withdrawal are very welcome to use their service.
“The school bus from Alford to Strathdon will continue to run as a local bus service for the public.”