Public Transport

Cumbria County Council has various Public Transport (external link) objectives as part of its Local Transport Plan 2001-2006 including

  • to provide a safe and secure public transport system for all users;
  • to provide access to employment opportunities;
  • to provide choice and quality;
  • to meet all the physical needs of the travelling public;
  • to provide an integrated timetable and fares system.

Bus services

The County Council provides information on bus services in Cumbria (external link). The Council also offers subsidies to operators to provide transport services which would otherwise not run.

Rail services

The West Coast main line that passes through Carlisle offers frequent services to and from major conurbations such as Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and London (Euston). These trains are operated by Virgin Trains.

Cumbria is served by a number of key rail routes that are part of the national rail network. The Cumbria Coast line connects towns in south and west Cumbria to the West Coast main line at Carlisle and Lancaster. This scenic route has views across the Irish Sea and the western Lake District. The route is operated by Northern Rail.

Other public transport information

Traveline (external link) is the UK's No 1 website for impartial information on planning your journey, by bus, coach, train or any combination of the three.

Transport Direct (external link) is a new free web portal established by the government's Department for Transport intended to provide a one-stop shop approach to national journey planning. There is an option of making comparisons with car travel for the same journey. Additionally, there are location finding mapping services and live travel news sections.


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Contact us

 01228 817000

Carlisle City Council
Civic Centre, Carlisle, Cumbria,
CA3 8QG