An integrated ticketing partnership between Stagecoach and rail companies in Cumbria has boosted bus patronage, new figures have shown.
A collaboration which sees onward bus journeys to Keswick included as a “virtual rail station” on rail planners is now in place all year round after a trial over the last two summers.
As a result, Stagecoach has doubled the frequency of services connecting Penrith railway station and Keswick and the number of journeys was 14% higher last summer than in the corresponding months of 2023, resulting in 442,000 trips.
Journeys to the popular tourist destination can be made via Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express to Penrith and Stagecoach’s connecting X4 and X5 bus services using a single, integrated ticket.
Avanti West Coast reported a 17% growth in customers travelling from Penrith in the summer months of 2025. The 205,000 journeys made to the town represented a rise of 48% compared to 2019.
Meanwhile, TransPennine Express enjoyed an 11% surge in journeys compared to 2019.
Tom Waterhouse, Stagecoach Cumbria and Lancashire Managing Director, says: “It’s extremely encouraging to see such strong growth in customer numbers, which reflects the real appetite for convenient, integrated transport options to access the Lake District.
“We’re making it easier for customers to leave the car behind and enjoy a more sustainable journey into Keswick.
“The success of the X4 and the Keswick Bus ticket demonstrates the vital role we can play in supporting local tourism while helping to reduce congestion and protect this unique environment.”
Cumbria Tourism, which led a “Let’s Go Car Free” campaign and is part of the integrated ticketing initiative, has also welcomed the results, noting that the number of people who travelled to the region grew 7-12% between 2022 and 2025.
President of Cumbria Tourism, Jim Walker, adds: “Seamless options like this convenient integrated ticket to Keswick make it easier than ever to explore the area without a car.
“We’re thrilled to see it now available all year round, to make low-carbon journeys even easier, more accessible and appealing for both visitors and local residents.
“Helping people choose more sustainable ways to travel and inspiring longer-term behaviour change is a vital part of the county’s collective Destination Management Plan, as we develop new ways to increase the number of people arriving and moving around Cumbria car-free.”
