Problem - Difficulty in access to jobs within Central Lake District leading to staff shortages
Details
Vacancies in Lake District hospitality industry are difficult to fill due to limited availability of staff in the area and the high costs of accommodation.
Staff are available in other areas, but limited transport is a barrier.
How
Work with Department of Work & Pensions teams, to try to identify where extra transport is needed and how this can be delivered.
Provided new bus services at a fare low enough to make attractive but which will generate sufficient revenue to make the service viable.
Problem - Improved Bus / Rail ticketing
Details
The large visitor attraction of the Lake District puts extreme pressure on a road network, which has limited space to expand. Congestion impacts on the local population and will make the area less attractive to visit.
There are good bus links from many parts of the County into main line stations.
How
Offer a combined bus and rail ticket - with 4 (for weekend visitors) and 7 day bus ticket options.
Problem - Expansion of Rural Mobility Project
Details
Many areas of the County have no bus services and experience shows demand is too low to make one viable, and what has previously been offered is too inflexible to be attractive.
How
Build on knowledge learnt from current pilot schemes to expand into other suitable areas, whilst taking into account existing bus operations.
Problem - Encourage more young people to use buses
Details
Adult fares are charged from the age of 16, but young people are still on no or low incomes, and also about to qualify to learn to drive.
How
Extend child (or a reduced) fares to 21 and explore the expansion of a more nuanced £2 fare cap.
Problem - Introduction of Zero Emission buses
Details
There are currently no zero emission vehicles in Cumberland and some of the typography in rural areas do not suit electric powered vehicles, whilst marginal viability of network
How
Work with operators to identify the right zero emission vehicles for the County and the best places to implement them.
Work with operators to obtain grants to fund the purchase of vehicles and associated infrastructure required.
Problem - Improved quality of vehicles
Details
The bus needs to compete with car to attract people to use them.
How
Invest in better quality seating; onboard wi-fi and charging points, and onboard stop announcements.
Problem - Poor use of school transport vehicles for use
Details
Increases in costs to meet PSVAR legislation and Bus Open Data Service requirements mean using school transport vehicles between school services to offer local bus services is difficult, with operators of high floor coaches providing the best price.
How
Explore offering incentives for operators to use vehicles suitable for local bus services on school services.
Problem - Poor awareness of what is already available
Details
Discounted fares, services, and information, are often available but details are poorly communicated, especially to non or infrequent users.
How
Find ways of simplifying messages and better communicating information to make bus use more attractive.