PRE-booking a seat on a bus could be the future for some Gwent residents, as plans to save £31,000 from Newport council's transport budget go before the cabinet member for infrastructure.

Several of the council's "socially necessary" bus service contracts will expire during November this year and March next year, according to a report written by Tracey McAdam, integrated transport unit manager, for the attention of cabinet member Ken Critchley.

Tenders were invited during July and August and three contracts were re-tendered, the report states, financed through the bus service support grant awarded by Welsh Government.

But the report warns the council has not yet been told what its grant will be for 2015/16.

"There is commitment to continue the funding for a further year," the report said.

Companies can terminate their contracts by giving four months' notice.

The report recommends that service 61 (Newport to Magor via Redwick) and service 63 (Newport to Whitson/Wetlands) should become "demand responsive" services where passengers book a day in advance.

"The service will be less convenient for passengers as they would need to book the day before to travel, however the service would be more sustainable in the long term," the report said.

It would also save £20,000 a year, it is said.

The current bus subsidy is estimated at £484,000 for this financial year but expenditure is overrunning by £31,333, at £515,333.

Next year and the year after the figure is set at £477,262, some £6,700 less.

"If the proposal is not accepted there is the risk that from December 2014, the residents using local bus services supported by the council would be without an alternative daytime bus service," said the report, warning that the council's own bus support funding could also be cut.

"There is no alternative bus service available within easy walking distance."

The report lists the contracts due to terminate as service 62 Newport to Magor/Caldicot, with cross-boundary funding from Monmouthshire council due to end on November 3, and operating on an emergency contract until March 23, 2015; service X16 Risca to Cardiff, also on an emergency contract after termination by the previous operator; and service 63 Wetlands/Whitson to Newport, contract due to end March 23, 2015.

The cabinet member has until October 20 to consider the report.