New publicly funded bus services across West Cumbria are carrying thousands of passengers a month, with early figures showing that routes secured through government funding and delivered by Cumberland Council are already making a real difference for local communities.
But Josh MacAlister MP has warned that one route – the 32 service linking Whitehaven, St. Bees and Egremont – is at risk unless more people use it.
The new and improved routes are part of what Josh has called the biggest boost to bus services in West Cumbria in a generation. Funding from the Labour Government has supported Cumberland Council to invest in new and enhanced services, including routes residents had specifically asked for.
Passenger figures presented to MPs show strong early performance across a number of the new routes.
The upgraded 22/22A service, connecting Whitehaven, West Cumberland Hospital, Egremont, Cleator and Cleator Moor, is now carrying an average of 2,557 passenger trips a month.
The new 1/1A Whitehaven town service – serving Bransty, Parton, Rosehill Theatre and Moresby Parks – is carrying an average of 1,574 trips a month.
The 600 service, providing a direct express link between West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven, Cockermouth, Cumberland Infirmary and Carlisle, is carrying an average of 13,090 trips a month.
Other supported services are also showing encouraging use, including the X7 Whitehaven to Ravenglass route, which is carrying an average of 1,208 trips a month.
However, the 32 service between Whitehaven, St Bees and Egremont is underperforming and is currently rated as high cost per passenger. Josh has warned that services that are not well used will be much harder to protect when Cumberland Council makes decisions about which subsidised routes to continue into 2027 and beyond.
The 32 route runs from Whitehaven to St. Bees and Egremont, giving residents a direct public transport link to one of West Cumbria’s best-loved beaches and residents in St. Bees access to nearby towns.
Josh is now urging people in Whitehaven, Egremont and St. Bees to back the bus by using the route – particularly over the summer months for trips to the beach, days out, shopping and local journeys.
Josh MacAlister MP said:
“Across West Cumbria, these new publicly funded bus services are proving their worth. The passenger numbers on routes like the 22, 1/1A, X7 and 600 show that when we invest in decent bus services, people use them.
“These are routes local people asked for. They are helping people get to hospital appointments, work, school, shops and days out. After years of bus services being cut back, this is a real step forward.
“But I need to be honest with people about the 32 service between Whitehaven, St. Bees and Egremont. At the moment, passenger numbers are not where they need to be. If more people don’t use it, we risk losing it.
“So my message is simple: use it or lose it.
“If you live in Whitehaven or Egremont, the 32 is a brilliant way to get to St. Bees for the beach, a walk, a coffee or a family day out. If you live in St. Bees, it gives you a direct link into Whitehaven and Egremont.
“We fought hard to get these services funded. Cumberland Council has done a huge amount of work to get them up and running. Now we need people to back them by getting on board.
“West Cumbria deserves proper public transport. We are starting to rebuild what was lost, but keeping these routes going depends on people backing the bus.”
You can find route maps and timetables for all our new local services here
Josh MacAlister MP 