Cumberland Council’s Public Transport Team has been looking to the future of rural travel after attending a major national conference focused on improving bus services across the UK.
The team took part in Rural Bus 2026, held in early June at Chester Racecourse, where more than 250 local authorities, operators and transport specialists came together to share ideas, insights and best practice.
Supported by the Department for Transport and the Bus Centre of Excellence, the event highlighted the vital role rural bus services play in supporting economic growth, tackling climate change, improving health outcomes and keeping communities connected.
By attending, Cumberland’s Public Transport Team is ensuring that Cumberland Council stays at the forefront of national thinking, gathering the latest evidence, learning from other areas, and exploring new approaches to delivering reliable, accessible and sustainable bus services for local communities.
As part of the programme, the team also contributed to discussions on the national Bus Reform Pilot, sharing Cumberland’s experience while learning from other pilot areas across the country.
Throughout the day, sessions explored a wide range of topics, including funding opportunities, planning frameworks, stronger local control over services, and ways to protect routes that are vital for rural communities.
The knowledge gained will help shape how bus services are delivered across Cumberland in the future, ensuring services continue to meet the needs of residents, particularly those living in more remote areas.
Cumberland Councillor Denise Rollo, Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places, said:
“Attending events like Rural Bus 2026 is incredibly important, as it allows us to learn from best practice across the country and bring those ideas back to Cumberland.
“We are committed to improving how people travel around our communities, particularly in rural areas where reliable transport can make a real difference to people’s daily lives.
“By working collaboratively and exploring new ways of delivering services, we can continue to build a transport network that is accessible, sustainable and meets the needs of our residents now and into the future.”
The conference builds on a successful inaugural event in 2025 and continues to provide a valuable platform for sharing knowledge and shaping the future of rural mobility.
