Avanti West Coast and Stagecoach launch integrated rail and bus ticket in Cumbria

Campaign partners Avanti West Coast, Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire have announced a new integrated rail ticket to Keswick.

Launching today, visitors will now seamlessly be able to access Keswick with one ticket covering their entire journey via Penrith, further cementing the message of ease of travel to Cumbria without the need for a private car.

Avanti West Coast has added Keswick as a destination on rail journey planners so users will be able to purchase a ticket that covers both rail and bus travel connecting them via Penrith station to the popular town of Keswick.

The news comes as Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire has doubled the frequency of their bus services connecting Keswick and Penrith meaning there will be a chance to travel between the two every 30 minutes.

The tickets will be available for travel from any station on Avanti’s West Coast mainline services to Penrith and Stagecoach’s X4 and X5 bus service to Keswick.

Tickets are on sale now for travel up until 1 November 2024 via https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/ with one-way standard class fares from London Euston from £33.50, Birmingham New Street from £14.50, Preston from £6 and Glasgow Central from £13. Customers simply need to select Keswick Bus Station as their destination.

Gill Haigh, Managing Director at Cumbria Tourism, said: “It’s testament to the success of the campaign to date, that Avanti West Coast along with Stagecoach have created this integrated ticket. Keswick is such a great and popular town to visit, so for visitors to be able to seamlessly book tickets that transfer them from their point of origin right into the heart of the town sits perfectly alongside our Destination Management Plan Vision for Cumbria to become Britain’s most sustainable rural destination.

“Providing easy car free connections not only supports this vision but also facilitates even more relaxing, enjoyable, inclusive and welcoming ways to visit and enjoy great Cumbrian experiences and hospitality.”

Sarah Copley, Executive Director of Commercial at Avanti West Coast, said: “We’re proud to serve the gateway to the Lakes and play our part in enabling visitors to reach this beautiful part of the world more easily.

“By bringing together rail and bus travel, entire journeys can now be completed with just one ticket – supporting Cumbria Tourism’s car free campaign. Whether you’re visiting the Lakes for the day or a weekend away, the integrated ticket means you have everything you need for your journey before you board, so it’s even easier to make greener travel choices. We hope it will inspire more people to ditch the car and take the train and bus before exploring the region’s beautiful scenery on foot or public transport.”

Tom Waterhouse, Managing Director for Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership on this joint ticketing initiative. It is a real step change in helping people to visit this beautiful part of the world in a sustainable way and makes travelling by bus and train easier than it has been before.”

For more information about Cumbria Tourism’s Let’s Go Car Free campaign visit: Go Car Free in the Lake District, Cumbria - Visit Lake District