Motorists are being urged to leave their cars at home for World Car Free Day on September 22.
The annual event encourages people to walk, cycle or use public transport and so reduce pollution, congestion and harmful CO₂ emissions. The hope is that they will be less inclined to drive in future.
Recent data suggests the British public is increasingly receptive to this message with half of people saying they would like to use public transport more often and 56 per cent expressing a desire to walk or cycle more.
This year World Car Free Day falls on a Sunday, providing an ideal opportunity to explore the beautiful Cumbrian countryside by bus.
Tom Waterhouse, managing director of Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire, said: “I’d like to thank all our passengers because every time they take the bus, they’re doing their bit for the planet.
“According to Net Zero Nation, replacing car trips with bus travel reduces CO₂ emissions by a massive 42 per cent.
“That isn’t the only benefit. You can make better use of time on the bus, perhaps by reading a good book on your daily commute, and there’s a better view of the countryside from the bus, especially from our double-deckers.
“Even if you’re a dyed-in-the-wool motorist, I hope you’ll give the bus a go on World Car Free Day. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.”
For those looking to explore the Lake District, here’s a summary of the main Stagecoach routes on World Car Free Day:
- Open-top buses every 20 minutes between Bowness, Windermere, Ambleside and Grasmere;
- A half-hourly open-top service from Keswick to Seatoller in Borrowdale;
- Hourly buses from Keswick to Buttermere, from Ambleside to Dungeon Ghyll and to Coniston, and from Penrith to Patterdale with some journeys continuing over Kirkstone Pass to Windermere;
- An hourly service from Workington to Keswick and Penrith;
- Sixteen buses from Kendal to Windermere, Ambleside and Keswick;
- Seven journeys from Carlisle to Keswick, seven from Barrow to Windermere and seven from Lancaster to Windermere and Keswick.
Catching the bus is even better value at the moment thanks to the £2 national adult fare cap, which throws up some outstanding bargains.
For instance, passengers can travel from Lancaster to Keswick, Barrow to Kendal, Workington to Penrith or from Carlisle to Newcastle, all for just £2.
Pensioners also travel for free on any Stagecoach bus with a NoW card.
To plan your bus trip, visit: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/plan-a-journey
