Cumberland Council considers cutting bus services due to lack of funding

Some of Cumberland Council’s supported bus services could be cut, due to what is described as ‘funding constraints’, according to a new report.

Members of the highways and transport strategic board are due to meet at The Civic Centre in Carlisle on Thursday (October 22) where they will discuss the Update on the Procurement and Award of Supported Bus Service Contracts 2026/27 report.

It states that tender submissions and responses were evaluated against published criteria covering price, quality and social value. It adds: “Due to funding constraints, it is not possible to support all currently funded services, and a prioritisation exercise has been undertaken based on subsidy cost per passenger journey and value for money.

“The contract awards to Stagecoach (North-West) Limited detailed in this report support the continuation of essential public transport services whilst ensuring expenditure remains within the available budget.”

According to the report in 2024/25 the council supported six bus services and in 2025/26 these bus services were continued together with a further 12 bus services making 18 in total.

It states: “The total value of bus services supported in 2025/2026 was £3.6million, using a combined allocation from two years the amount of funding available is £2,709,796, plus a further DfT LABG allocation of £190,075.”

According to the report it will not be possible to fund all services as supported during 2025/26. It states: “The council has a statutory duty under the Transport Act 1985 to secure the provision of appropriate passenger transport services and, in discharging that duty, has the power to enter into agreements for the provision of subsidised bus services.

“Where the relevant conditions are met, the council may rely upon the de minimis exemption to directly award contracts. Where the conditions are not applicable, the council is required to procure the bus services in accordance with its Contract Procedure Rules.”

According to the report the procurement exercise attracted bids from four bus and coach operators submitting 51 tenders in total, with several routes receiving multiple submissions, including 15 variant timetable proposals that either offered composite prices or alternative timetables.

It states: “The council could also explore alternative delivery arrangements through the Cumberland Go minibus fleet. While several small rural routes have already been identified as priorities for Cumberland Go, there may be opportunities to incorporate additional supported services where there is clear evidence of ongoing demand and community need.

“However, any transition to alternative delivery arrangements would require careful planning. The period between the end of existing contracts and the mobilisation of Cumberland Go services could result in temporary service reductions or interruptions.

“Appropriate resource planning, vehicle availability, driver recruitment and stakeholder communication would therefore be required to minimise impacts on passengers and maintain confidence in the network.”

It is recommended that members agree that consideration is given to identifying additional council revenue funding of up to £235,000 to maintain services: 71 Carlisle to Kirkbride and Wigton; 64 Cargo, Rockcliffe and Durdar; and, MD1 Maryport to Dearham, which are the next three services on the prioritisation list, and that officers explore all available funding options to support their continuation to March 31, 2027.

In addition, subject to additional funding being secured, delegate authority to officers to agree the appropriate contractual or alternative delivery arrangements.

And they are recommended to agree that officers explore opportunities for the council to deliver the supported bus services, through the Cumberland Go minibus fleet, where there is evidenced demand and community need, subject to operational feasibility, value for money and, appropriate transition planning to minimise service disruption.