Cumberland sets out £2.89m bus support package and service changes
A new 12-month package keeps a range of Cumberland bus links supported, while several existing services face end dates or further procurement.
Cumberland Council has set out a £2.89 million package of supported bus contracts for 2026/27. The contracts will run for 12 months from the individual service start dates and are being progressed after a competitive procurement exercise.
The announcement combines continued backing for a broad group of routes with decisions not to renew council support for several existing services. That distinction is important: the published list sets out where support will continue and, separately, the dates or procurement position for routes affected by the change.
Services due to retain support
The continuing package includes the Sunday 30 service between Frizington and Workington, and the 600 linking Carlisle, Cumberland Infirmary, Cockermouth, Whitehaven and West Cumberland Hospital. It also covers the 22 and 22A between Whitehaven, West Cumberland Hospital, Egremont, Cleator and Cleator Moor, alongside the 60 between Silloth and Maryport.
Other retained services include the 300 from Workington to Carlisle, for which an increased frequency is planned, and the C123 Cockermouth town service. Support is also set out for the X7 from Whitehaven to Millom, the 7 between Barrow and Millom, the M1 Millom town service and the 32 linking Whitehaven, St Bees and Egremont.
The list further includes the 1 and 1A serving Whitehaven, Parton, Rosehill Theatre, Moresby Parks and Harras Moor; the 68 between Cockermouth and Maryport; and the HW1 linking Carlisle, Irthington, Brampton, Gilsland, the Roman Army Museum and Walltown Country Park.
The procurement attracted 51 tenders from four bus and coach operators, including alternative timetable proposals. Bids were assessed against published criteria covering price, quality and social value. The council used the level of funding required alongside passenger-journey numbers when prioritising services.
Routes affected by the non-renewal decision
Support will not be renewed for the 64 enhancements serving Cargo, Rockcliffe and Durdar. Their last day of operation is Saturday 2 January 2027, with a new timetable due from Monday 4 January. The MD1 between Maryport and Dearham reaches the end of its current contract on Thursday 29 October 2026. Subject to a short procurement exercise, the council intends to continue that service until the end of December.
The supported 93AM morning-peak journeys between Carlisle, Kirkbride and Anthorn have a last operating day of Friday 18 December 2026. The 93S Sunday service on the same corridor has a last operating day of Sunday 29 November 2026. The 71 between Carlisle, Kirkbride and Wigton is affected from January 2027, with Saturday 2 January given as its last day of operation.
The DR1 from Carlisle city centre to South Carlisle Health Centre has a stated last operating day of Thursday 31 December 2026. The separate dates mean the changes are scheduled across late 2026 and early 2027 rather than as a single network-wide withdrawal.
Funding position and next steps
Annual government revenue funding has remained at the same level, but the amount available in the previous year was higher because two years of funding were used in one financial year. The council has said that less money is therefore available for allocation this year and that it cannot maintain support for every service.
It is continuing to explore additional funding and alternative delivery options. The next three services on its priority list are the 71, the 64 enhancements and the MD1. That priority position does not alter the published end dates or make a continued service certain; the MD1 proposal in particular remains subject to the outcome of its procurement exercise.
