Cumberland Council was formed in 2023 as a unitary authority combining Allerdale Borough Council, Carlisle City Council, Copeland Borough Council, and part of Cumbria County Council. The Cumberland Council area has an approximate population of 274,000.
Buses are the backbone of passenger transport in Cumberland. The Council, bus operators and other stakeholders are committed to building on this solid base to improve and expand services, making them more attractive to more residents and visitors, for more journeys. This will not be straightforward, as the geography in Cumberland makes it difficult and expensive to run frequent services in many areas, and significant investment is needed to pump-prime improvements to give them the time to bed in and become commercially sustainable.
The Bus Service Improvement Plan includes many proposed improvements to services, ticketing, infrastructure, vehicles and information, which together would modernise the bus network, bringing benefits in decarbonisation, access to education, employment and services, highway decongestion, improved public health, and enable increased visitor journeys by sustainable modes. This Plan will support the aspirations set out in Cumbria Transport Infrastructure Plan (CTIP) for the period 2022 – 2037.
The CTIP sets a vision for improving transport and infrastructure in Cumbria, that provides for the needs of residents, businesses and visitors, as well as respecting our special environment.
Key economic sectors within Cumberland include agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing, with notable industries such as the largest nuclear site in Europe. Despite some areas boasting high household earnings, others face significant deprivation and fuel poverty. The council area includes two World Heritage sites and an area of outstanding natural beauty, drawing millions of visitors annually. Buses have a key role to play in relation to accessing employment, allowing people to visit and move around Cumberland sustainably and tackling deprivation and fuel poverty.
The demographic trends in Cumberland indicate an aging population, with the number of residents over 65 expected to increase significantly by 2040. Median household income is £28,794, which is below the national average, and the median house price is £155,630.