Cumberland Council has announced a range of proposals aimed at transforming the bus network across the region.
The first phase of the bus service improvement plan will see significant enhancements to bus services this autumn.
The council has been working with members, bus operators, and community stakeholders to develop strategies to revamp and expand services.
In partnership with Stagecoach, the council hopes to deliver a more reliable and accessible network that connects communities across the region.
The changes include the reintroduction of the Route 60 bus service between Silloth and Maryport, as well as improvements to the Rockcliffe to Durdar Route 101.
The Workington to Carlisle Route 300 will see an increase in frequency, with buses running every 30 minutes.
A brand-new service, Route 57, connecting Maryport, Dearham, Broughton Moor, and Workington, has been introduced following community discussions.
Sunday services on Route 30, connecting Egremont, Frizington, and Maryport, will now run every 30 minutes, while the Millom Town Service, Route M1, has been reinstated.
The Cleator Moor, Cleator, and Whitehaven Hospital Route 22 will provide transport to essential services, with a special focus on accommodating passengers with mobility needs.
Cumberland Council has also announced plans to work with Lamplugh, Arlecdon, Frizington, and Dean Parish Councils to extend the Frizington, Lamplugh, Dean, and Cockermouth Route 217 until March 2025.
Cumberland Councillor Denise Rollo, executive member for sustainable, resilient, and connected places, said that she is delighted to announce the improvements.
She said: "Partnering with Stagecoach marks a significant leap forward in our mission to make bus travel more reliable and more frequent.
"We are excited to work closely with Stagecoach to enhance travel options for our communities, and we will ensure they meet our high standards for service quality while holding them accountable for delivering excellent bus services.
"Together, we’re driving forward our commitment to a greener, more connected, and vibrant Cumberland."
Further enhancements to rural bus services are also planned for this autumn.
The council will seek public input on preferred destinations, frequencies, and travel times to refine and improve the service.
Cumberland Council has thanked the Department for Transport for £2.4 million in funding under the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), which will enable the council to make significant enhancements to bus services across the region.
Tom Waterhouse, managing director of Stagecoach, said: "We are proud to be working in partnership with Cumberland Council on the first phase of the Bus Service Improvement Plan.
"We have a shared ambition to grow the local bus network here in Cumbria, connecting more communities and making it easier to travel in a more environmentally sustainable way.
"We are excited about growing the local bus network together."
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