The size of Norfolk's bus network has shrunk by more than a third in less than a decade, prompting fears that rural areas are becoming increasingly isolated.
New figures show that buses travelled just 12.9m miles in the county last year, down from 20m in 2014.
Separate data indicates that over a similar period the number of bus journeys fell by almost 40pc.
Campaigners have warned that the collapse in the sector is especially harmful to those from lower-income households who do not have access to a car, as well as to countryside communities who have seen their transport links severed.
Council bosses insist they are trying to help keep buses running but industry leaders warn time is "running out" to avoid services being further slashed.
Demand for buses, which had been gradually declining for years, plummeted during the pandemic and has not recovered since.
For the past three years, the industry has been propped up by government grants totalling more than £2bn. But with no significant recovery under way, there are fresh fears for those who rely on services.
Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council's cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, said: "Covid-19 had a massive impact on bus use, with passenger numbers falling by 50.3pc on average but in many areas even more.
"Being a rural county our bus services are vital for residents in accessing local services which is why we have been working hard over the last year to bring passenger numbers back up and enhance services across the county."
He said the Conservative-controlled council's Bus Service Improvement plan would get more people on buses.
In 2020/21, a year when lockdowns drastically hit how many services were running, the distance travelled by the county's buses dropped to 11.6 million miles, according to Department for Transport (DfT) figures.
The numbers recovered slightly in 2021/22 to 12.9 million miles, but bus operators have warned further cuts could be looming.
In terms of passenger journeys, the Norfolk figure has dropped from a high of 29.7 million in 2011/22 to 18 million in 2021/22 - a fall of 39pc.
Bosses at First Eastern Counties said the pandemic had been responsible for the "vast majority" of reductions to services - and the impact was still being felt.
A spokesman said: "The amount of buses running has declined over the period, but generally these have been a series of smaller reductions over the years rather than wholesale cuts in routes at one time."
He said: "In terms of the future we are still building back from the changing travel habits of our customers such as working from home and online shopping and are working to deliver increases in services where appropriate."
Gavin Smith, managing director of Go East Anglia (Konectbus), said passengers had "disappeared overnight" because of the pandemic, and around 85pc had now returned.
He said: "In rural areas like Norfolk, the provision of a bus service is essential for transporting people to work and leisure activities, connecting people and allowing them to go about their everyday business.
"Ultimately, the more people that use our services, the better we can make them for everyone."
The DfT has extended the £2 cap on bus fares until June 30 to try to get people back on buses - with the government providing up to £75m to operators.
But Local Government Association transport spokesman David Renard warned: "The future of thousands of bus routes is at risk.
"This will have a devastating impact on people who rely on these services to get to work, visit family and access vital services, including doctors and affordable food shopping."
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