We’re on with improving bus services across our rural communities.
It was great to see the Department for Transport come to Cumbria to see first-hand how the new rural bus pilot is progressing. This is a government funded programme looking at developing and testing new models of local bus service delivery tailored specifically for rural communities.
DfT travelled across the network, spoke to local partners, and heard directly a from real people who use these routes every day. This is exactly the kind of hands-on approach we need to make sure change actually works on the ground.
This pilot is part of a much wider shift under the Labour Government. We’re finally seeing additional investment in buses here in Cumbria, which has led to additional routes already being introduced to connect our communities.
You’ve told me how you’ve had enough of unreliable and infrequent services, so we’re doing something about it. More routes, better reliability, and bus services that actually match how people live and work.
There’s still more to do, but this is real, positive progress, and I’ll keep working to make sure our communities see the benefits.