Following the Highways and Transport Board Strategic meeting last week (Thursday 29 January), Cumberland Council is reminding residents to take advantage of 18 new and enhanced bus routes now operating across the area.
Backed by more than £4 million in government funding, the council began supporting local bus services in November 2024.
These services have already begun transforming local travel, making it easier for residents to stay connected, travel sustainably, and reach key destinations.
The expanded Cumberland Go network introduces new routes, upgraded services, increased frequencies, and additional Sunday connections. The improvements reflect what communities told the council they most wanted: reliable, accessible, greener transport linking towns, villages, hospitals, education sites, and community hubs.
Early monitoring shows strong public support, with some routes already experiencing passenger increases of up to 50%.
The 18 new and improved routes, operated by Reay and Stagecoach, include:
- Route 60 – Silloth to Maryport: 1,770 trips per month
- Route 30 – Maryport to Egremont and Cleator Moor (Sunday service): 1,668 trips per month
- Route 300 – Workington to Carlisle (every 30 minutes): 4,160 trips per month
- Route MD1 – Maryport to Dearham: 466 trips per month
- Route 68 – Cockermouth to Maryport: 886 trips per month
- Route C123 – Cockermouth Town Service: 1,640 trips per month
- Route 93 – Carlisle to Anthorn (including Sunday service): 221 trips per month
- Route 93s – Carlisle to Anthorn: data pending
- Route 64 – Durdar to Carlisle via Currock Community Centre: 81 trips per month
- Route X7 – Whitehaven to Ravenglass (links to Millom and Barrow): 971 trips per month
- Route 7 – Barrow to Barrow: 609 trips per month
- Route M1 – Millom & Haverigg Town Service: 841 trips per month
- Route 32 – Whitehaven to St Bees and Egremont: 1,079 trips per month
- Route 600 – Carlisle to West Cumberland Infirmary (via Cockermouth and Whitehaven): New in January 2026 – data pending
- Route 22/22A – Whitehaven to Cleator Moor and West Cumberland Hospital: 318 trips per month
- Route HW1 – Carlisle to Gilsland and Roman Army Museum: New in January 2026 – data pending
- Route 1/1A – Parton to Rosehill Theatre, Moresby Parks & Harras Moor: New in January 2026 – data pending
- Route DR1 – Carlisle City to South Carlisle Health Centre, Locke Road & Carleton Clinic: New in January 2026 – data pending
- Route 71 – Carlisle to Kirkbampton, Kirkbride and Anthorn/Wigton: New in January 2026 – data pending
In December, around 18,000 journeys were made on services supported by Cumberland Council. This will continue to increase with several services launched in January.
These services complement major improvements in the commercial bus network, meaning more frequent, connected, and dependable travel options for residents across Cumberland.
Full timetables and route maps are available at: www.cumberland.gov.uk/bus-timetables
The expanded Cumberland Go network plays a vital role in helping people reach workplaces, healthcare appointments, colleges, shopping centres, and leisure destinations. The improvements also support the priorities of the Cumberland Plan, encouraging healthier travel, cutting carbon emissions, and providing realistic alternatives to car use.
Cllr Denise Rollo, Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places, said:
"This programme is a genuine game changer for public transport in Cumberland. The investment we’ve made is already delivering results, with some routes showing passenger growth of up to 50%, which is incredibly encouraging.
“These services reconnect our towns, villages and communities, offering reliable, affordable ways for people to travel for work, education, healthcare or leisure.
“Our success relies on two things: operators delivering dependable services, and the public continuing to use them. I want to thank both our operators for stepping up, and our residents for telling us what really matters to them.
“Cumberland Go represents a fresh, community-focused identity for transport in our area, connecting communities, supporting wellbeing, and building a greener, more sustainable future for everyone.”
Cumberland Go: connecting communities, one journey at a time.
