Campaigners calling for the return of a free city centre bus were offered a boost today after transport bosses said half the cash was still on the table.

Transport authority Centro had originally offered to go halves with Wolverhampton City Council when the number 500 service was scrapped last year in a cost-cutting exercise.

Council bosses said the service, which carried passengers around the city centre to the indoor and outdoor markets free of charge, was being underused after 22 years of service.

The operating costs were £113,000 a year and it carried 370,000 passengers.

It was axed by the council in 2009 as part of £27 million worth of savings.

Market traders have asked for it to be brought back in the run-up to Christmas to help them hold their own against the city centre shops.

But Centro today said it would make the money available to pay for half the service.

Centro spokesman Steve Swingler said: “If Wolverhampton City Council approached Centro regarding the reinstatement of the free city centre bus, we would be happy to work in partnership with them to assess the need for the service and would provide a 50 per cent subsidy towards the cost.”

Council leader Councillor Neville Patten said: “We would not rule anything out and if someone is able to come forward with an option of part funding then of course we will look at it.”