Cumbrians are being encouraged to take advantage of the £2 fare cap to try out much improved local bus services.
Stagecoach has introduced new timetables in north Cumbria, in partnership with Cumberland Council, which see enhanced frequencies on many routes and a new service restoring long-lost links to Rockcliffe, Cargo, Blackwell and Durdar.
The fare cap allows passengers to travel on any route for just £2.
Tom Waterhouse, managing director of Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire, said: “The fare cap provides a great opportunity to experience our improved bus services at a bargain price.
“We know existing customers will welcome the increased frequencies and new routes and we hope the convenience of having more journeys will encourage non bus users to leave their cars at home and give the bus a go.”
The changes include:
- 64, Carlisle to Kingstown Asda via Houghton, extended to give three weekday buses to Blackwell and Durdar and six to Rockcliffe and Cargo.
- 685, Carlisle to Newcastle, new weekday timetable to improve punctuality with a minor route change around Melkridge. Improved hourly Sunday service through to Newcastle, funded by Northumberland County Council, removing the need to change buses at Hexham.
- 300, Carlisle to Workington, runs half-hourly instead of hourly on weekdays, hourly on Sundays, with most journeys extending as service 30 to Whitehaven and then either Thornhill or Frizington.
- 400, Carlisle to Silloth, and 600, Carlisle to Cockermouth, minor changes to better coordinate with the 300 between Carlisle and Wigton. There is also a new service 60 between Skinburness, Silloth and Workington.
- 554, Carlisle to Keswick, winter timetable has one additional journey on Mondays to Fridays compared with last winter.
- X4/X5, Penrith to Keswick and Workington, winter timetable improved on last year with a half-hourly service on weekdays, hourly on Sundays.
The new timetables are part of the first phase of a £2.5million package of bus service improvements funded through Cumberland Council.
Full details are on the Stagecoach website.
Tom added: “We’re keen to work with Cumberland Council to deliver better services enabling more people to use the bus for journeys to school, college and work, and for shopping, medical appointments and leisure.
“Bus travel is better for the environment, helps to cut traffic congestion and is easier on your pocket. You’d struggle to park a car for £2, never mind the fuel.”
