[A] new agreement between Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire and Arriva North East means that bus customers in the area can benefit from added convenience through fully integrated ticketing.
From 2 May, the full range of daily and weekly tickets can be bought and accepted regardless of which company’s bus customers use. This means that customers who want access to Stagecoach’s full Carlisle network will no longer have to wait for a Stagecoach bus to be able to buy their weekly ticket.
Likewise those travelling to Cobalt Business Park and other locations in the North East served by Arriva can now catch any Cross Pennine bus.
The landmark agreement also applies to M-Ticketing with each operator accepting the other’s mobile tickets. As well as this, the partners are working on accepting each other’s smart tickets with this feature hopefully going live later in the year.
Stagecoach and Arriva previously worked together to create Cross Pennine, the new brand for the 685 route between Carlisle, Brampton, Hexham and Newcastle.
In November last year changes to the timetable were introduced to improve punctuality and make every journey take the same route. The Cross Pennine buses also got a fabulous new soft green look inspired by the north Pennine landscape which they serve.
Matt Cranwell, Managing Director for Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire said: “This ground breaking agreement means customers now no longer have to worry which bus they catch as all tickets will be on sale on all Cross Pennine buses. The new agreement makes using Cross Pennine really easy and we are looking forward to welcoming even more customers on board this growing service.
“The improvements are an example of how working in partnership with other bus operators and local authorities can deliver practical improvements for passengers. We hope to further develop the offer for our customers in the future working in partnership.”
Nick Knox, Area Managing Director at Arriva said: “We are pleased that all the hard work that has been done by Stagecoach, Arriva and our local authority partners in Cumbria and Northumberland has set the basis for delivering this exciting new ticketing development, following the launch of the new look ‘Cross Pennine” service late in 2016. This really will give customers complete ticketing flexibility, improving value and convenience, and we look forward to further developing the Service 685 Cross Pennine with Stagecoach in the future.”
To celebrate the start of the agreement Stagecoach and Arriva invite you to our launch events on Wednesday 3 May 2017. With free giveaways and a bird of prey demonstration, it’s a great opportunity for you to come and experience the 685 service.
Stagecoach will be based in the Market Square in Carlisle city centre between 10am – 4pm with Arriva at Hexham Abbey between 10am – 12pm.
For Bus Times Call Traveline: 0871 200 22 33.
