Cumberland Council Leads the Manner on Bus Reform and Franchising in Cumbria

Cumberland Council, working in partnership with Westmorland and Furness Council, has efficiently secured authorities funding to pilot new approaches to bus service supply in Cumbria, together with the potential introduction of bus franchising.

This pioneering pilot will study tips on how to enhance public transport in rural communities, significantly the place companies at the moment wrestle to stay financially viable. The initiative will discover methods to extend service frequency and improve entry to employment, training, healthcare, and important native companies.

By participating on this pilot, Cumbria will likely be on the forefront of nationwide analysis into rural public transport options, with the findings serving to to form a brand new nationwide mannequin for delivering sustainable, accessible transport in rural areas.

Cllr Denise Rollo, Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places at Cumberland Council, mentioned:

“We are delighted that Cumbria has been chosen to take part in this important pilot. For too long, rural communities have faced limited and unreliable transport options, and this scheme offers a real opportunity to reshape services around the needs of our residents.

Cumberland Council is proud to play a leading role in driving improvements that make a tangible difference locally. By giving councils greater control, we can protect vital routes, improve access to jobs, education and healthcare, and ensure our bus network supports inclusive, sustainable growth across the region. This is a positive step forward for public transport in Cumbria.”

Roads and Buses Minister Simon Lightwood mentioned:

“We’re backing Cumbria to explore how it could take control of its bus network and transform rural services to work for everyone – ensuring passengers, not profit, come first.

With our transformative Bus Services Bill just around the corner, this Government is putting buses at the heart of better connectivity, helping communities thrive and driving economic growth as part of our Plan for Change.”