A bus route linking Carlisle and West Cumbria is getting an average of more than 14,000 passengers a month, a new report reveals.
Members of Cumberland Council’s highways and transport strategic board are due to meet at Allerdale House in Workington on Thursday, July 16, where they will get an update on the Cumberland Go supported bus services.
The report says that the 600 service, which runs between Carlisle via the Cumberland Infirmary and Whitehaven to the West Cumberland Hospital had an average of 14,732 passengers a month and there were 18,064 in May.
The report said that since it was launched in January, the 600 service continued to demonstrate strong growth with passenger numbers increased by 56 per cent by the end of May.
However monthly demand for a number of other supported services is much lower and, according to the report, the 93S service which was launched in December and links Carlisle and Anthorn and is described as a supporting Sunday only service, carries an average of just 52 passengers per month and had an average of 150 in May.
The report said: “Prior to November 2024, there were no subsidised bus services, as Cumbria County Council did not provide any financial support for bus services.
“Between November 2024 and January 2026, the Council implemented a programme of new and enhanced supported bus services.”
There were six bus services supported from November 2024 and an additional 12 bus services from November 2025.
The total value of bus services supported in 2025/2026 was £3.6 million.
According to the report, there was a consistent month by month growth in passenger trips since January, which increased from just over 31,000 to just under 38,000.
The 64 service, which links Durdar, Carlisle and Cargo, now provides extra journeys to Durdar and Rockcliffe and, after requests from the public in a survey, and it now visits Currock Community Centre and passenger numbers have also continued to increase.
According to the report the HW1 route along Hadrian’s Wall has seen passenger numbers rise recently following a slow start with 1,586 in June.
It added: “We are confident that this will continue to improve throughout the peak tourist months and better weather following recent publicity.”
However, passenger numbers remained low for the DR1 service, between Carlisle city centre and the South Carlisle Health Care Centre off Eastern Way in Botcherby, with a monthly average of 307 and just 275 in May.
