Westmorland and Furness Council and Cumberland Council are inviting residents, passengers, businesses and community groups to take part in the next phase of the Cumbria Bus Reform Pilot Study.
The Pilot Study is funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) and is being delivered in partnership with Westmorland and Furness Council, Cumberland Council, Jacobs and Oxera.
This stage will include a public questionnaire and six community drop-in events across Westmorland and Furness and Cumberland. It will gather views on people’s experiences of local bus services, their priorities for the future and their thoughts on potential new ways of planning, funding and operating services.
The engagement will explore how bus services could better connect people to jobs, education, healthcare and other essential services while making travel more affordable and accessible.
The questionnaire will be available through the councils' websites from Monday 5 October 2026 until Sunday 25 October 2026 (at midnight) and promoted across both councils’ engagement platforms. It will offer an accessible way for people across Cumbria to share their experiences, priorities and ideas.
The six in-person community conversation events will provide opportunities for residents, visitors, local organisations, interest groups and communities to share their views directly. Discussions will explore how different ways of planning, funding and operating bus services could support better access to jobs, education and essential services, strengthen rural connectivity, improve affordability and accessibility, and enhance the overall passenger experience.
The study is exploring different options for how bus services could be organised and delivered in Cumbria in the future, no decisions have been made at this time. The findings from the study will help inform future discussions about local bus services and transport policy. The newly-established Cumbria Combined Authority will also play an important role in shaping strategic transport priorities across Cumbria in the future.
Community Conversation Events:
- Monday 5 October 2026 – Barrow-in-Furness Town Hall between 2pm and 6pm;
- Tuesday 6 October 2026 – Kendal Town Hall between 3.30pm and 7.30pm;
- Friday 16 October 2026 – Penrith Library between 12.30pm and 4.30pm;
- Saturday 17 October 2026 – Carlisle Library between 10.30am and 2.30pm;
- Tuesday 20 October 2026 – Keswick Library between 1.30pm and 4.45pm;
- Wednesday 21 October 2026 – Workington Library & Community Hub between 2pm and 6pm.
Cllr Adrian Waite, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Transport for Westmorland and Furness Council, said: "Reliable and affordable bus services are vital to the future of Westmorland and Furness. They help people get to work, education, healthcare appointments and leisure opportunities, while also supporting our local economy by connecting businesses with customers, employees and visitors. As a council, we are committed to improving sustainable transport and ensuring our communities, particularly in rural areas, are better connected.
"This pilot study gives us a valuable opportunity to gather evidence, listen to residents and businesses, and explore how bus services can be strengthened for the future. I would encourage everyone to take part in the survey or attend one of the community events. The more people who share their experiences and ideas, the stronger the case we can build for a bus network that works for local communities, supports economic growth and makes it easier for people to travel across Westmorland and Furness and beyond."
Take part in the Cumbria Bus Reform Pilot Study survey.
Feedback from the questionnaire and community events will be analysed and summarised as part of the pilot study. It will be considered alongside technical evidence as potential options are assessed and recommendations are developed.