Cumbria buses

County advice overview

The Cumbria area is covered by two main bus companies which provide concessionary travel schemes including bus passes.  

Many bus services in Cumbria are operated with low floor buses. These have powered or manual ramps to make it easier for disabled people to board and dedicated wheelchair spaces. The bus will also have handrails and hand poles that are easy to see and grip, to help you keep your balance while you look for a seat.

All drivers and conductors have received assistance training and will help passengers where necessary. 

Stagecoach and Arriva offer Journey Assistance Cards for passengers who may have limited vision or hearing, difficulty in communicating (including if English is not your first language), special educational needs or for passengers who need extra time or help to find a seat. 

You can apply for these online, on each bus operator’s website. 

Key tips 

One of your options, if you are no longer driving, is to use the bus. If you live near a bus route, this can be an easy way to do shopping and make other essential or leisure trips. 

You can plan ahead by finding route information and timetables online or by phoning your local authority or bus company. 
Buses can only stop at marked bus stops, so you need to be sure where you are getting off in advance. There are also often announcements, both spoken and on a screen, to inform you of the next stop. You can also ask the driver to let you know when your stop is approaching.

Consider if your nearest bus stop and the destination bus stop are accessible, if you are travelling with a mobility scooter or wheelchair.

Regional operators

Stagecoach North East

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/

Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire provide local bus services in Barrow, Carlisle, Kendal, Morecambe and West Cumbria.

Arriva

https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/north-east

Buses run throughout the country. Route information is available online.

Help with cost

Older Person’s Bus Pass

Concessionary bus passes are available for older people who have reached state pension age and are resident in Cumbria. The Older Person’s Bus Pass entitles you to free travel on bus services throughout England from 9.30am to 11am, Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and on public holidays.

Residents in Cumbria can apply for a concessionary bus pass using this link.

Transport SmartCard Cumbria 

NoWcard is a concessionary bus pass that has been set up jointly by Cumbria and other county councils.  It can be applied for by following this link or calling the helpline on 0300 1234 6737.

Disabled Person’s Bus pass

If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Person’s Bus Pass. Residents of the Northeast, County Durham, Northumberland and Tees Valley can apply. There is no upper age restriction for the Disabled Person’s Bus Pass. 

Information on eligibility can be found via this link.

For Cumbria the information can be found here.

Special Assistance

Arriva and Stagecoach offer Journey Assistance Cards that can be used for passengers who may have limited vision or hearing, difficulty in communicating (including if English is not your first language), special educational needs or if you need extra time or help to find a seat. 

Download a Journey Assistance Card on the Arriva website.

Download a Journey Assistance Card on the Stagecoach website.

Passport Schemes

PlusBus is a discount price travelcard bought with your train ticket, which provides unlimited bus and tram travel on most operator services, around the whole area of a rail-served town or city. 

It can be used for commuting to work, shopping, visiting friends or having a day-out in town.

Travelling with mobility equipment

All local bus services should now provide wheelchair accessible buses with low floors and a ramp which the driver can extend to help you get on and off.

There will also be a dedicated area for a passenger to sit in a wheelchair.

Travelling with a scooter

Bus companies have different rules about the size and type of scooters that they will allow on board. 

In general, scooters should be no more than 600mm wide and 1000mm long and be able to turn in a space of 1200mm. Always contact your local bus company before travelling, to check the rules in your area and to find out if your scooter will be accepted.

Assistance Dogs

All recognised guide dogs and assistance dogs are allowed to travel for free on buses.

Routes and timetables

If you have not travelled locally by bus before, you can find route information and timetables online or by phoning your local authority or bus company. Be aware that online tickets for buses are often non-refundable if you cannot make your journey.

Arriva

Provide a journey planner and ‘Find my Bus’ service.

Stagecoach

Provide a journey planner, maps, and timetables.

Traveline

Is a partnership of transport companies, local authorities and passenger groups which have come together to bring you routes and times for all travel in Great Britain by bus, rail, coach and ferry and to provide it in as many different ways as possible. 

You can check when the next buses in Cumbria are due at your chosen stop here.

Your nearest bus stop should provide seating and shelter in case you have to wait for a bus. In the bigger towns and cities, it may also include live information on when the next bus is due.