Cumberland Council is pleased to announce the launch of several new subsidised bus services and the continuation of successful 2024 routes, delivered in a phased rollout beginning this November.
This 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 reflect what communities across Cumberland have told the council they want: reliable, accessible, and sustainable transport options that connect people to essential services and opportunities.
From November 2025, phase one will be launched and will be subsidised for a 12-month period. A range of new and enhanced routes will be delivered by Reays and Stagecoach.
Phase 1: from 3 November 2025
Reays will operate:
- Maryport – Dearham Town Service (#MD1)
- Cockermouth – Maryport (#68)
- Cockermouth Town Services (#C123)
Stagecoach will operate continue to:
- 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 2025
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 5 January 2026
The final phase of the rollout expands services to key destinations and healthcare facilities.
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)
These routes are vital for accessing work, healthcare, education, and leisure, especially for those who rely on public transport every day.
This programme supports carbon reduction, healthier lifestyles, and contributes to the Cumberland Plan by improving wellbeing and climate resilience. It also provides real alternatives to car travel, helping to build a more sustainable future for the region.
To support this initiative, Cumberland Council is launching the Cumberland Go brand, a fresh, community-focused identity for public transport across the region.
Cllr Denise Rollo, Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places, said:
“Today marks another major milestone in Cumberland Councils wider plans to revitalise our city, towns and villages. With improved local transport services, we will see our communities being reconnected, giving even more people access to bus services for work, education and leisure.
“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 Cumbria 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.”
Cumberland Go: connecting communities, one journey at a time.