Josh MacAlister MP has welcomed today’s Government announcement that Cumbria will be among the first areas in the country to pilot new bus franchising powers, giving local authorities a greater say over how services are run.
Josh MacAlister MP said:
“I’m delighted that Cumbria has been chosen to lead the way in piloting new approaches to rural bus franchising. For too long, people in our towns and villages have faced unreliable and infrequent bus services that make it harder to get to work, school, healthcare appointments or simply to see family and friends.
“This pilot is about putting passengers first and making sure that decisions about local transport are made here in Cumbria. By giving councils greater control, we can better protect vital routes, connect isolated communities, and make sure that bus services work for local people and local economies.
“Better buses mean better opportunities – for young people accessing education and training, for businesses connecting to customers, and for older residents who rely on public transport to stay active and independent.
“I want to pay tribute to the hard work of Cllr Denise Rollo and Cumberland Council, who have championed this initiative and worked tirelessly with local partners and Government to bring this opportunity to Cumbria.
“I’ll be working closely with the council, operators and residents to make sure this pilot delivers real improvements for the people I represent, and that Cumbria becomes a model for how rural transport can thrive.”
The Cumbria pilot will explore how giving councils more control over local bus networks can improve reliability, protect essential routes, and expand access to jobs, schools, and services – especially in rural and hard-to-reach communities.
Roads and Buses Minister Simon Lightwood said:
“We’re backing Cumbria to explore how it could take control of its bus network and transform rural services to work for everyone, ensuring passengers, not profit, are put first when it comes to bus services.
“With our transformative Bus Services Bill just around the corner, this Government will put buses at the forefront of better connectivity – helping communities thrive and driving economic growth as part of our Plan for Change.”
The pilot will help us understand how franchising – where local authorities give private bus companies the right to run in a specific area – can improve connectivity, boost passenger satisfaction, and support local economies in a range of settings.
It comes ahead of the Government’s Bus Services Bill which will end the plight of bus routes being scrapped at short notice, tightening requirements for cancelling vital bus routes – especially those used by vulnerable or disadvantaged passengers.
As part of the Bill, councils will identify socially necessary local services, and working with bus operators, put in place stricter requirements before these services can be changed or cancelled.
Cllr Denise Rollo, Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places, Cumberland Council, said:
“We are delighted that Cumbria has been selected to take part in this important pilot. For too long, rural communities have faced limited and unreliable transport options, and this scheme offers a real opportunity to reshape services around the needs of our residents.
“Cumberland Council welcomes the opportunity to play a leading role in delivering improvements that matter locally. By giving councils more control, we are better able to protect vital routes, improve access to jobs, education and healthcare, and ensure our bus network supports inclusive growth across the region. This is a positive step forward for sustainable transport in Cumbria.”
Josh MacAlister MP 