Government ministers blamed councils for cuts to bus services.

Transport ministers said local authorities were themselves to blame for reducing public transport funding as they struggle to cope with multimillion pound budget cuts.

And it defended the decision to remove the “ring fence” on funding, which has allowed local authorities to target public transport ahead of other council services.

West Sussex County Council plans to cut £2 million from its subsidised bus network, with school and rural routes affected.

East Sussex County Council is also looking to make savings.

However, Brighton and Hove City Council, often seen as a model for other areas to follow, was yesterday cited by the Government as an example of passengers benefiting from bus companies and councils working closely together.

It comes as the latest figures for bus passenger use reveal there were more than 90 million bus passenger journeys last year across Sussex.

Brighton and Hove led the way with 42.2 million, followed by West Sussex with 24.8 million and East Sussex on 22.3 million.

The Department for Transport said: “Local councils have responded disproportionately by reducing local bus services. Others however have not, so the issue is not simply the settlement, but the decisions local authorities have taken as a consequence.

“Despite these concerns, the Government maintains that local authorities must be free to make their own decisions about the provision of local bus services.”