We are working with Cumberland Council on a bus reform pilot study. We have reached the next phase of the study and we're inviting people to join our comumunity conversation to help shape the future of bus services in Cumbria. This includes:
- residents
- passengers
- businesses
- community groups
Find out how to join the conversation and give us your views
What the study involves
The pilot study is funded by the Department for Transport (DfT). We are delivering it with Cumberland Council, and Jacobs and Oxera.
The study will assess whether bus reform could improve public transport across Cumbria. It recognises the challenges of providing reliable and accessible bus services in a largely rural area. The study also looks at how the bus network could better support key priorities and outcomes of both councils.
Read our 'what is bus reform?' leaflet (PDF , 364KB)
Find information about the options being considered (PDF , 388KB)
Proposed outcomes
The study has identified a number of draft outcomes for bus reform in Cumbria, which support both council's existing outcomes. This includes a bus network that:
- provides reliable, affordable and attractive connections to jobs, education, services and local amenities
- supports sustainable economic growth, investment and regeneration
- meets the needs of different communities and groups of people
Another draft outcome is for better integration between bus services, other public transport and active travel options.
How to join the community conversation
Questionnaire
You can complete a questionnaire to give us your comments, thoughts and feedback.
Complete the bus reform community conversation questionnaire online
The questionnaire is open from Monday 5 October to Monday 30 October 2026.
In person
We're running six community drop-in events across Cumbria in October 2026. They will give us the chance gather people's views on topics such as their:
- experiences of using bus services
- priorities for the future
- ideas on potential new ways of planning, funding and operating services
The drop-in sessions will be held on:
Monday 5 October 2026
- Time: 2pm to 6pm
- Location: Barrow Town Hall, Duke Street, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 2LD
Tuesday 6 October 2026
- Time: 3:30pm to 7:30pm
- Location: Kendal Town Hall, 9 Lowther Street, Kendal, LA9 4DA
Friday 16 October 2026
- Time: 12:30pm to 4:30pm
- Location: Penrith Library
Saturday 17 October 2026
- Time: 10:30am to 2:30pm
- Location: Carlisle Library
Tuesday 20 October 2026
- Time: 1:30pm to 4:45pm
- Location: Keswick Library
Wednesday 21 October 2026
- Time: 2pm to 6pm
- Location: Workington Library
What will happen next
We will analyse the information we gather from the quesionnaire and drop-in events and use it to:
- include in the rest of the pilot study
- help us assess the options
- develop final recommendations
Contact information
If you would like more information about the pilot study, please email cumbriabusreformpilotstudy@jacobs.com.