Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire (CNL) says it has seen “phenomenal” passenger growth following the introduction of new buses on core Lake District services over the last year.
Twelve ADL Enviro 400MMCs, with high-backed ‘Gold’ style seating were introduced onto the 555 Lancaster-Kendal-Lakes-Keswick services in July 2016.
These were followed by seven part-open-top Wright-bodied Volvo B5TLs on the 599 Bowness-Ambleside-Grassmere route in July. Both types have USB charging facilities and free wi-fi.
In an exclusive interview, CNL Commercial Manager Michael Sanderson said passenger numbers had risen by around 10% in the first year that the new buses had been on the 555. Year-on-year passenger numbers are also up by around 5% on the few months the new buses have been used on the 599.
The buses on the 599 are the first new open top vehicles to be bought by Stagecoach. They will, subject to weather, operate all year round.
Stagecoach now carries around 1.5 million passengers a year, most of them tourists, on its core Lake District services.
Buses operating the 555 and the 599 are both finished in a highly visual bespoke livery and branding devised for Stagecoach by Best Impressions.
Mr Sanderson says this has raised the visual awareness of the services and the benefits of using public transport to move around the Lake District.
