A weekend bus service between Dunedin and Palmerston looks likely from next year.
However, the planned improvement for East Otago falls short of what had been sought.
The Otago Regional Council decided this week to go ahead with a boost, but one that was scaled back after the NZ Transport Agency did not chip in.
Waikouaiti Coast Community Board chairman Alasdair Morrison had called for the council to make up the funding shortfall.
People in the community regarded the option of a limited improvement to the service as "a bit half-pie", Mr Morrison said.
After councillors had voted through the option, 6-5, he said there would be discussions about what form the improvement would take.
"Half a loaf is better than no bread," Mr Morrison said.
Residents had indicated their preference for a weekend service, ahead of bolstered weekday services.
The service is the council’s longest route, at 63km one way, and operates three return trips each weekday.
Patronage has increased since the introduction of a $2 fare trial.
The regional council budgeted $110,000 for improvements to start in 2022 and $220,000 for the next financial year.
It had been hoped this would be offset by money from the transport agency, starting with $57,000 and then $114,000.
The council would go ahead with its share of the intended spending increase, tallying about $55,000 this financial year, then likely about $110,000.
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