Improvements to Service X35 between Barrow and Kendal

Bus passengers will see the first of a number of improvements to the X35 between Barrow and Kendal via Ulverston and Grange-over-Sands on Tuesday, 27th May when the service goes hourly during the day. 

Cumbria County Council has funded the improvements through the Government's Rural Bus Challenge Competition. A total of over £800,000 will be invested in the Service X35 from this fund over the next four years. 

Councillor Kevan Wilkinson, Cumbria County Council's spokesperson for transport, says:   

"This bus service has been a huge success, It started off in 1995 as a twice a week shopping service and has grow to what it is today. Over 110,000 passengers used the existing service in the last 12 months, a 12% growth on the previous 12 months. Improving the service to run hourly will enable the service to grow further and provide a much improved service for the many passengers who use it." 

The current 90 minute frequency will be improved to an hourly daytime frequency with buses leaving Barrow Town Hall at 5 minutes past the hour from 9.05am until 3.05pm and Kendal Bus Station at 25 past the hour from 8.25am until 4.25pm. There will also be an extra morning peak journey from Barrow at 7.00am arriving Kendal at 8.15am. Minor changes are being made to late afternoon departures from Barrow with certain journeys running up to 10 minutes earlier. Evening and Sunday services are unchanged. 

An Adult Day Return Ticket from Barrow to Kendal cost £3.65 or for regular travellers a weekly ticket can be purchased for £12.45 offering over a 30% discount for someone travelling Monday to Friday. A return from Grange-over-Sands to Kendal costs £3.10. 

Children travel at 2/3rds fare and holders of Barrow or South Lakeland Concessionary passes can travel for ½ fare. Stagecoach Explorer tickets including the new Concessionary Ticket can be purchased on the bus and are valid for travel on the service. 

The improved frequency will mean that during the daytime there will be connections at Grange-over-Sands Rail Station between the X35 to and from Kendal with the Service 532 to Cartmel via Allithwaite, Flookburgh and Ravenstown, offering an hourly service between these villages and Kendal. A through fare of £3.10 is available on the Service 532. There are also connections at Ulverston with certain journeys on the Service X12 to Coniston; Service 10 and 11 to Barrow and Service 511 to Broughton-in Furness. 

Further improvements will see the introduction of larger low-floor vehicles; more information at bus stops along the route and better quality timetable publicity.