Have your say in the Cumbria Bus Reform Pilot Study with upcoming events
Public input sought to improve local bus services and connectivity
Westmorland and Furness Council, along with Cumberland Council, is inviting residents, passengers, businesses, and community groups to participate in the next phase of the Cumbria Bus Reform Pilot Study.
The initiative, funded by the Department for Transport (DfT), is being conducted in partnership with Jacobs and Oxera. It aims to gather insights into people's experiences with local bus services and explore potential improvements.
From Monday 5th October 2026 until Sunday 25th October 2026, individuals can share their feedback through an online questionnaire available on the councils' websites. This accessible platform allows the community to express their priorities and ideas for bus services in Cumbria.
In addition, six community drop-in events will be held across the region, starting with Barrow-in-Furness on 5th October and concluding in Workington on 21st October. These in-person discussions offer a chance for residents, visitors, and organisations to share their views directly on how bus services could be improved to connect people better to jobs, education, healthcare, and other essential services.
Councillor Adrian Waite of Westmorland and Furness Council highlighted the importance of these events: "These community events and the online questionnaire provide people who live, travel, and work in Cumbria the chance to have their say and help shape the delivery of the future bus network across the region."
Councillor Denise Rollo from Cumberland Council added: "This is an important opportunity for people across Cumbria to share their experiences of local bus services and explain what they need from the network in the future. Local insight is essential to ensuring any future approach reflects the needs of our diverse communities and the unique geography of the county."
Feedback from these initiatives will be analysed as part of the pilot study, contributing significantly to the ongoing assessment and development of recommendations for the future of Cumbria's bus services.