Coonamble Shire Council has vowed to fight a decision by Transport NSW to cancel a much needed bus service in the region.

The bus route which takes in Billeroy Road, north of Coonamble, may be cancelled as early as the end of this year, despite still being needed by families along the run.

The decision comes after fluctuating numbers of bus users have seen varied passenger requirements, and will mean three students living on the road will lose their main transport to school.

Transport NSW did not allow for three children living further down the road to be included in the count.  They say a minimum number of eight students are needed to keep the bus run financially viable. 

At their June meeting, Coonamble Shire Council voted to support the families along the route and a letter was sent to the Minister for Transport Jenny Aitchison.

"While I understand your concerns, Transport for NSW has a contractual obligation to monitor the performance of all rural and regional bus services, including the number of

passengers using the services," said Minister Aitchison.

"If student numbers fall below eight, Transport for NSW may undertake a service viability review for up to a two-year period to monitor demand.

The Minister said her department "works closely with the service provider and the school community to ensure that every opportunity to maintain the service is investigated.

"Transport for NSW must carefully consider student numbers, along with its obligation to act ethically, fairly and with economy and transparency in its application of public funds," she said.

Billeroy Road resident Anne Cullen said she is prepared to raise the funds to collect three children further down the road to increase the number of school children on the bus. 

Families along the road have been fighting for months to keep the Billeroy bus up and running.

Their efforts have been bolstered by Coonamble Shire Council and Coonamble Local Aboriginal Land Council.

"Even if there's only one kid on that bus we've got to keep fighting for that bus run," Mayor Tim Horan told councillors at their July meeting.

"How do we remain a viable community if we keep losing services like our bus run.

"Council has been very supportive," Mrs Cullen said. 

According to Mrs Cullen there was a generational gap where there were no children living further down the road but now the demand is increasing Transport NSW is not meeting it.

Forecasts undertaken by the community show that in 2025 nine children would need the bus. 

In 2026, that number is expected to drop to eight after one girl graduates high school but climb back up to 13 in 2027 when more children come of school age. 

"We understand that the bus wouldn't go somewhere it wasn't needed but it is needed there again now." 

Transport NSW said an extension would not be allowed for the Billeroy bus because it is 18 kilometres outside of the contracted route. 

An employee from Transport NSW said that the contract made several years ago for the bus route cannot be changed to include children living further up the road.

"The bus is only allowed to go as far as the contract goes which is up to my residence," Mrs Anne Cullen said.

She says families have to drive further to meet the bus, significantly increasing the daily time and cost.

Transport NSW offers financial compensation to the parents, however, it only covers the cost for one leg of the journey at 73 cents per kilometre. 

Residents argue that this does not cover the fuel costs to drive to and from the bus stop up to 25 kilometres, four times per day. 

"A contract should be variable according to the number of children who need the bus. This is common sense" Mrs Cullen said. 

"The contract can be changed to cut back but it won't change to extend the bus route." 

 Mrs Cullen said she is now lobbying to amend the contract and have it extended to collect the three additional children.