The Expressway bus service between Westport and Athlone looks set to be saved after the National Transport Authority said there was a public service obligation to keep it.

It was revealed last week that Bus Eireann was to axe the route in April along with the Dublin to Derry service in May and the Dublin to Clonmel one in March as part of cost cutting measures.

The NTA has looked at Bus Eireann's proposed changes and says overall there is enough existing services to meet demand but the exception is Route 21 from Westport to Athlone.

The NTA's Chief Executive Anne Graham says they're ready to step in to fill the gap: