The only bus routes off the island will continue to run through at least June 2017.

Island Transit Board of Directors voted Monday to continue operating the 411 routes that connect Whidbey and Camano islands with Skagit County.

The routes were in limbo after the governor got cold feet about carrying through with a transportation project bill he signed that included a $2.3 million grant for Island Transit. The bill included a “poison pill” provision that could hinder his administration’s ability to pass new clean-fuels regulation.

After a few weeks of waiting, the board finally received confirmation that the state will indeed pony up the cash. But the agency still doesn’t have a contract with the state for the funding.

Oak Harbor Councilman Rick Almberg, chairman of the transit board, said the Office of Financial Management gave the agency the approval to submitting bills for the route, retroactive to July 15.

“It will be a good test to see if we actually get paid,” he said.

The two 411 routes are a vital link to many Island County people who use them to get to work, school, medical appointments and government services off island.

Almberg said the future of the route is totally dependent on state funding.