A new flexible, bookable bus service will be launched to improve public transport access for rural South Cumbrian communities.
Westmorland and Furness Council’s scheme, The Extra Mile, will begin its initial pilot in and around Ulverston next Monday, July 20.
The service is a digital demand responsive transport system that allows passengers to book journeys when they need them, rather than relying on a fixed timetable.
Funded by the Government’s Rural Mobility Fund, the project is designed to help residents access employment, education, healthcare, shopping and leisure opportunities.
The authority said the system matched requests together to provide efficient shared transport, connecting rural communities with nearby towns.
A second scheme for Penrith is due to start later this year.
The area included in the Ulverston pilot scheme takes in the Furness peninsula down to Roa Island and Roose.
From there, it covers an area roughly bordered by Stank, Newton-in-Furness, Askam, Kirkby, Foxfield, Duddon Bridge, Broughton Mills, Torver, Satterthwaite, Thwaite Head, Witherslack, Meathop, Grange and Flookburgh.
The service will not be available for journeys entirely within Ulverston, where alternative public transport options already exist.
Passengers can book journeys by selecting their pick-up location and destination, and choosing either an arrive by or leave after time.
The system then offers a suitable journey and notifies passengers when the vehicle is on its way, with return journeys also available to book.
Councillor Adrian Waite, cabinet member for environmental services and transport, said: “For too long, one of the biggest challenges facing rural communities has been simply getting from A to B.
“Whether it’s travelling to work, college, a medical appointment, the shops or meeting friends and family, a lack of transport can be a real barrier.
“The Extra Mile is about giving people more freedom and flexibility. Instead of expecting residents to fit around a fixed bus timetable, this service is designed to fit around people’s lives, providing transport where and when it is needed through simple app or telephone booking.
“Digital Demand Responsive Transport has the potential to be a game-changer for areas like ours. In a large and sparsely populated county, conventional bus services are not always practical, but innovative solutions such as The Extra Mile can help tackle isolation, improve connectivity and support more sustainable travel choices.”
The service will operate between 7am and 7pm from Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.
Telephone booking will also be available between 9am and 3pm from Monday to Friday. Call 0333 2406965 (choose option 2, then option 4).
All journeys will be free during the first two weeks of operation until Sunday August 2.
