A new "game-changing" daily bus service has been announced between two Suffolk towns in a bid to combat a "vicious circle of decline".
The new 51 service, between Hadleigh, Bildeston and Stowmarket; and 52 service, between Hadleigh and Aldham, are set to begin on April 13.
Buses are expected to run six times a day every day from Monday to Friday, following a public consultation.
Suffolk County councillor Robert Lindsay has been leading on the project. He argues the area is "one of the worst for social mobility" and therefore "desperately needs this service".
He said: "If you can't afford to drive a car in this area, how do you even get a job?"
"This is allowing people to go for a job interview and accept a job, knowing that they have a reliable form of transport to get there.
"It is going to be game changing for people, and it is really big news for us in the villages, as we haven't had a daily bus for nearly two decades."
He added that while some services in the county have had low usage, public transport "needs to first become a viable option before people take it seriously in Suffolk".
"I hope that we can turn a vicious circle of decline in services into a virtuous circle of growth in bus passengers, as more and more people leave their cars at home," said Mr Lindsay.
The launch comes as part of the £8 million Local Authority Bus Grant fund and the service will be operated by KonectBus.
This comes after the grant also brought improvements last year to route 50, between Hadleigh and Sudbury; Route 45 between Sudbury, Bury St Edmunds and West Suffolk Hospital; and Route 43, between Bury St Edmunds and Colchester.
Councillor Chris Chambers, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for transport strategy, planning and waste, said: “I’m delighted to launch these new and improved routes for Suffolk.
"I know that they will make a huge difference to local people, because they have all been suggested by Suffolk communities.
“I would encourage anyone who has an idea to improve bus links in your village to get in touch - share your ideas with us through our scheme on a page initiative.
"As well as new or enhanced bus routes, we are also open to supporting ideas involving transport infrastructure and longer-term investment.”
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