Stagecoach’s Managing Director is encouraging people to take advantage of bargain bus travel.

Until December 31, passengers can travel on almost any bus in England for only £2, regardless of the length of journey.

Tom Waterhouse, Managing Director of bus operator Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire, said: “The fare cap was a government initiative to encourage people back onto the buses after the Covid pandemic.

“It’s been a success. We’ve certainly seen an increase in passenger numbers and we’re expecting more people to take advantage in the run up to Christmas.

“Having a maximum fare of £2 makes the bus a bargain whether you’re Christmas shopping, travelling to work or an appointment, or just having a day out. The Christmas party season is with us now. Getting there by bus means that nobody has to miss out by being the designated driver.”

Stagecoach operates several long-distance routes in Cumbria that provide outstanding value at £2 per journey. They include:

• 685 – hourly from Carlisle to Newcastle (every half-hour between Carlisle and Brampton) via Haltwhistle, Hexham and Corbridge.
• 300 – every half-hour (hourly on Sundays) between Workington, Maryport, Aspatria, Wigton and Carlisle. Most journeys start from Thornhill or Frizington and run to Workington via Whitehaven as service 30, allowing passengers to travel through to Carlisle for £2.
• 555 – hourly from Lancaster to Keswick via Carnforth, Milnthorpe, Kendal, Windermere, Ambleside and Grasmere.
• X4/X5 – every half-hour (hourly on Sundays) between Workington, Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith.
• 6/X6 – hourly between Barrow, Ulverston, Grange-over-Sands and Kendal. 
• 600 –  7 journeys per day, Monday to Saturday, from Carlisle to Cockermouth via Wigton. 

The only Stagecoach services not covered by the £2 fare cap are a limited number of dedicated school buses.

Tom added: “It’s widely recognised that taking the bus is better for the planet. Net Zero Nation says replacing car trips with bus travel cuts damaging CO2 emissions by 42 per cent. The fare cap means the bus is good for your wallet or your purse as well. At £2 a journey, it’s a no brainer.”

Check times online here and don’t forget to download the Stagecoach Bus app from the Apple App Store or Google’s Play Store.

This has a journey planner, maps showing the location of bus stops and provides real-time information on bus running.

Although the £2 scheme is about to end, the Government recently announced that bus fares will be capped at £3 throughout 2025, however the fare cap is a Government scheme and may vary by Local Authority area during 2025.