27/08/03 - Bus Services Saved

Cumbria County Council has stepped in to save bus services in the Cockermouth-Workington area used by local people for work and shopping, which had been due to be withdrawn from the end of this month.   

The services are being reorganised and will begin on Monday September 1.They will be numbered the 34 between Cockermouth and Slatefell Estate, the 35 between Cockermouth and Workington via Great Clifton and Camerton, and the 36 between Cockermouth and Workington via High Brigham and Bridgefoot.   

County Councillor Kevan Wilkinson, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member with responsibility for transport, said:    

"People in the villages in this area rely on the buses for getting to work, doing their shopping and for other journeys. "It is essential that we retain for them the fullest range of services that we can. Therefore Cumbria County Council is stepping in with public money to save services which are not commercially viable but which are vital to the users." 

The county council has secured a similar level of service to that currently provided on both routes, with buses running about every two hours. Timetables on both routes have undergone major changes, but the timetable at key work times has been kept as close to the existing service as possible. There are, however, some changes to late afternoon services, with certain journeys not running on Saturdays.   

The town service to Gable Avenue and Slatefell in Cockermouth previously provided by service 35/36 is also affected. All journeys will be re-numbered service 34 and will be timetabled at the same minutes past each hour through most of the day. A through service is still available on most journeys to and from Workington.   

The new services will be provided by John Hoban and Reay's Coaches, with extra journeys being provided by Robert Benson. Stagecoach will also provide two journeys a day on service 36. All operators will accept each other's return tickets.   

Stagecoach Commutercards/Golden Riders issued before September 1 will be accepted on Hoban's, Reay's and Benson's services until the tickets expire. Tickets issued after September 1 will no longer be valid on these services. 

Timetable leaflets for all the new services should be available from all the normal outlets along the route. Alternatively information on all bus services across Cumbria can be obtained from traveline 0870 6082608.