NEARLY £1 million of rural bus cash has been awarded bring more people into Otley Market and help members of the community access facilities.

An £802,800 Rural Bus Challenge award has been announced by Transport Minister Sally Keeble - and both West Yorkshire Pass-enger Transport Authority, Metro, and the Otley Market Town Initiative, have each pledged a further £80,000 bringing the total to £962,800.

The scheme is set to see the community served by more school buses, evening community transport service, better bus shelters, after-schools club service, and a door to door dial-a-ride service at off-peak times.

And those responsible for the bid hope to run market day bus services to connect Otley with Pool, Bramhope, Arthington, Askwith, Hare-wood and Weeton.

Other services are expected to connect the outskirts of Otley with the town centre.

The bid for the award from the Department for Transport, Local Gover-nment and the Regions, was sought by the Otley Town Partnership, Otley Town Council, and Metro - who all welcomed the announcement.

The three worked together for the bid, as the Transport for All project.

Ward councillor and Town Partnership chairman, Coun-cillor Phil Coyne, said: "This is wonderful news for the whole community of Otley and the surrounding villages.

"It will help make people's lives easier in this area. It means less congestion, less pollution, greater safety for schoolchildren, greater accessibility for older, more opportunities for young people, and greater viability for Otley as a market town."

He said it was hoped the new bus services will be running within months.

The planned school bus services will include more frequent services run by dedicated yellow school buses, to ensure youngsters get to school safely.

Labour leader of Otley Town Council, Coun John Eveleigh, said: "A good bus service is vital to the prosperity of the area and the quality of life of local residents. School buses will be more frequent, removing traffic from out congested streets, young people will be able to visit Yeadon Tarn and the newly refurbished Prince Henry's pool on dedicated buses, and we will see better quality services for all to use."

Metro has said it intends to make improvements to Otley Bus Station, and at bus stops elsewhere in Otley and in the surrounding villages. It also aims to promote existing services, and try to drive up the number of people travelling by bus.

There are also plans to promote existing local cycling routes.

Metro chairman, Counc-illor Mick Lyons, said: "The award of this funding is excellent news for Otley and means Metro can work with the Town Council to develop services which meet the needs of the community.

"Otley is a bustling market town at the heart of a surrounding rural community and the services which we want to put in place recognised that key role while also contributing to employment opportunities and the town's growing tourism profile."

A Metro spokesman said the Otley Transport for All package will enhance the transport experience for everyone in Otley and the surrounding villages, by offering easier access to the market, shops, medical facilities, schools, banks and commercial facilities.