Seasonal shuttle bus and park and ride services have been given the thumbs up from passengers as operators report 3,300 ticket sales in the first few weeks of launching. 

The services, which returned early summer, offer convenient and affordable or free transportation in some of the Lake District’s busiest and most popular destinations.

The free Wasdale Shuttle Bus, funded by the GDF Community Fund, is helping reduce traffic on the picturesque country lanes by offering connections from Nether Wasdale to Wasdale Head and in turn, Scafell Pike and Great Gable.

Operated by Reays, the service is running every weekend and bank holiday until September 15. The bus also offers some connections to Muncaster Castle and Ravenglass. 

Meanwhile, Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire has seen a positive response to its incentives - all designed to keep road traffic to a minimum, while still encouraging visitors and locals to make the most of the popular, scenic and often remote areas.

The Buttermere and Cockermouth shuttle bus (77C), is transporting passengers between Cockermouth, Low Lorton and Buttermere Village until September 1 with single use fares at just £2.

As well as providing easy access to the scenic round-the-lake-route at Buttermere, the service connects to Cumbria’s wider bus network, including the hourly X4/5 to Workington and the 77/77A, which runs between Buttermere and Keswick. 

Elsewhere, passengers can travel across the wider Lakes by Bus network from only £2 per single journey or with an explorer day ticket from £12, including travel on open top services around Windermere, Derwent Water and Ullswater.

Also helping to reduce overall traffic is the Park and Explore incentive. This ticket allows visitors to park in one of six central car parks and use Stagecoach’s Central Lakes DayRider bus ticket.

The ticket allows unlimited travel for up to five people on any Stagecoach bus service within the Central Lakes Day Rider zone which includes areas around Windermere, Bowness, Ambleside, Coniston, Hawkshead, Rydal and Grasmere. 

David Rich, head of commercial at Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire, said: “We are pleased to be able to play our part in reducing the number of cars on the roads within Cumbria by providing easy opportunities to leave the car behind and travel onwards by bus.

"We are making real progress in expanding the range of sustainable travel opportunities available to minimise the impact of cars on the landscape and communities.”

Gill Haigh, managing director of Cumbria Tourism, said: "The combination of all these incentives is helping us meet our shared aims to support responsible tourism that improves the visitor experience, enables low carbon travel and benefits our environment and communities.

"It really is the way to enjoy this beautiful place.”