Oxford Bus Company has defended its decision to axe match day services to the Kassam Stadium following criticism from fans.

Oxford City Council is threatening legal action against the football club, which is obliged under its planning conditions to provide dedicated services to and from the ground on match days.

The bus company, which has no legal obligation to run the buses, is offering fans a special £2.50 ticket to catch a bus into Oxford and a connection to Blackbird Leys, leaving supporters to walk the rest of the way.

Responding to criticism by Oxford United fan Mark Beachey, of Abingdon, published in the Oxford Mail letters page, the bus company's commercial director Nigel Eggleton, denied that the service had been profitable.

He said: "The buses were full but a full bus isn't necessarily a profitable bus if the average fare is too low."

Speaking at a city council community scrutiny committee meeting yesterday, Mr Eggleton added that further talks with managers at Oxford United were due to take place this morning.

The club is considering matchday deals with different bus operators. Another option would be for the club to subsidise the service.

United Supporters Club membership secretary Stan Taylor told the meeting he did not blame the bus company for pulling out and said it was up to the club to rescue the service.

He said: "The important thing is that up until the buses were taken off, six to seven per cent of the home supporters were travelling by bus. That's too low. But now it's zero. Some people are not able to get there easily. Abingdon people are suffering in particular.

"It would be much better if we could get the bus service back on by mutual agreement.

"The bus company is not charging enough but if charges too much it will drive people away. It's a matter for the football club to organise this service. I would hope we can have urgent talks with the city, county and the stadium."