New bus services are set to launch in north and West Cumbria from next month.
Cumberland Council has revealed Cumberland Go, which will see the new subsidised bus services and the continuation of successful 2024 routes, delivered in a phased rollout.
The initiative is part of the council’s ongoing commitment to improving public transport across the region and is backed by £3.55 million in government funding.
The new services include one from the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven to Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary, for the first time in over a decade.
Services will be subsidised for the next 12 months and delivered by Reays and Stagecoach.
Phase 1: From November 3
Reays will operate:
- Maryport – Dearham Town Service (#MD1)
- Cockermouth – Maryport (#68)
- Cockermouth Town Services (#C123)
Stagecoach will continue to operate:
- Maryport – Frizington (#30)
- Workington – Carlisle (#300)
- Durdar to Cargo (#64), with initial service from 3 November to 1 December, after which there will be additional peak journeys and a link to Currock Community Centre (#71;93;64)
- Millom Town Service (#M1 & #7), operating from 3 November to 1 December, after which it will become Whitehaven – Ravenglass / Ravenglass – Millom – Barrow (#X7 & 7)
- Cleator Moor – West Cumberland Hospital (#22), operating from 3 November to 5 January 2026, when it will be upgraded to the new Whitehaven Town Services #22/#22A and #1/#1A
Phase 2: Launching 1 December 1
Stagecoach will operate:
- Carlisle – Anthorn – Wigton (#71, #93, #64)
- Whitehaven – Ravenglass / Ravenglass – Millom – Barrow & Whitehaven – St Bees – Egremont (#X7 & #7 & 32)
Reays will operate:
- Carlisle – Anthorn (Sunday service) (#93Sun)
Phase 3: Launching January 5
Stagecoach will operate:
- Carlisle – Cumberland Infirmary – Cockermouth – Whitehaven – West Cumberland Hospital (#600X)
- Whitehaven Town Services (#22/#22A and #1/#1A)
Reays will operate:
- Carlisle – Hadrian’s Wall (#HW1)
- Locke Road Surgery & Carleton Clinic (#DR1)
Cllr Denise Rollo, executive member for sustainable, resilient and connected places, said: “All of these new routes will each play a vital role in the continued success of Cumberland Council.
“I am extremely thrilled that we can reconnect West Cumberland Hospital with the Cumberland Infirmary for the first time in over a decade allow both staff and visitors easier travel options.
“The long-term success of these services hinges on two things: strong operator engagement to deliver reliable routes, and active public use to keep them running.
“I am delighted that the Cumberland Go initiative is being launched, and I want to thank the public for engaging in the process, letting us know what really matters to them, the operators for really stepping up to deliver these vital services and the team behind the scenes who have worked extremely hard to make this happen.
“These routes connect people to everyday needs, and we ask that the public support our local transport offer their continued use is critical to long-term success.”
