Funding to restore or improve bus routes and services in Westmorland and Furness is to be targeted at reconnecting communities and boosting access to public transport.
Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding of £412,130, awarded to Westmorland and Furness Council for 2023/24, will be used to support routes which have been withdrawn or reduced within the past five years in areas where they are most needed to ensure communities are reconnected and access to public transport services restored.
The restored services (subject to confirmation after going out to tender) include:
Penrith–North Lakes School (2): Restore the afternoon service; Penrith–Carlisle (104): Restore half-hourly service (currently hourly); Kendal–Penrith (106): Restore Wednesday service (currently Tuesday and Friday only); Alston–Carlisle (680): Restore twice a week service; Appleby–Kendal (561): Restore Wednesday service.
A further £178,885 is to be used to support access to employment opportunities in the hospitality and tourism sector to provide improved transport connectivity for workers.
One of those services, also subject to confirmation after going out to tender, is: Keswick–Penrith (X4/5): Increase frequency from every hour to every 30 minutes and offer an evening service Thursday to Sunday.
In addition, the council will receive £412,130 for 2024/25 and proposals for utilising this will be considered at a future meeting.
The improvement plan and funding was approved at this week’s Highways and Transport Strategic Board. Neil Hughes, who is deputy chairman of the board and cabinet member for transport and environmental services, said: “Buses play a vital role in our communities and are hugely important if we are to meet our net zero ambitions. An efficient public transport system enables our residents and visitors to access education, employment, services, visitor attractions and events, shopping, health, social and leisure opportunities.
“We shouldn’t underestimate the challenge we face in making public transport affordable, reliable, and sustainable. Many of the problems are caused by market failures and deregulation or the particular challenge of providing a viable transport network in sparsely populated areas where patronage is low, and working within increasingly limited budgets. Westmorland and Furness is England’s most sparsely populated local authority area, which in itself presents challenges in terms of sustaining public transport, and connectivity.
“What we do know is that buses offer a lifeline for many of our residents, particularly those in more rural areas and those without access to a personal vehicle. For many people without access to a car, buses are the only way they can travel to health services, to shops and leisure, to places of work, to colleges and further education. Poor bus provision, particularly in rural areas can amplify social, economic and health inequality.”
Other initiatives funded by Westmorland and Furness Council to support bus routes and services include the A2B Now card, a reduced fare bus travel card for five to 20-year-olds living in Westmorland and Furness outside school travel times. It is valid on local bus services within Westmorland and Furness and entitles holders to bus travel for £1.80 (single) and £3 (return).
Open until 20th October is the 16-19 education travel bursary fund, which supports young people in the area to pay for transport for educational purposes – whether that be bus, train, taxis, fuel costs or students who travel by bicycle.
