t has been claimed a record numbers of visitors have travelled to the Lake District by public transport after Avanti West Coast created a virtual railway station.
Last year 205,000 journeys were made with the train operator to Penrith, an increase of 48 per cent compared to 2019.
During the same period, TransPennine Express recorded an 11 per cent growth in travel to and from Penrith, with 115,000 journeys in the summer months – up 58 per cent.
Avanti West Coast added Keswick as a destination on rail journey planners – reintroducing a ticket covering both modes of transport to travel to the region as a trial and it has been so successful, it will be extended.
at Keswick as part of a trial scheme which has now been extended.
Stagecoach has seen similarly strong growth after the trial was launched two years ago to coincide with it doubling the frequency of its services that connect Penrith to Keswick.
Between April and November, nearly 442,000 trips were made on its services, 14 per cent more than in 2023.
Collaboration between the railway and Stagecoach helped deliver the initiative, which has been welcomed by Cumbria Tourism.
The organisation worked closely with Avanti West Coast, Northern, TransPennine Express, and Stagecoach on the Let’s Go Car Free campaign.
“Seamless options like this convenient integrated ticket to Keswick make it easier than ever to explore the area without a car,” president of Cumbria Tourism, Jim Walker, said.
“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.”
This week, the integrated ticketing system which allows travel by rail and bus at Penrith has been relaunched as an all year around option.
The decision to offer the ticket is part of a campaign to encourage more people to travel by public transport.
“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,” Tom Waterhouse, Stagecoach Cumbria and Lancashire managing director, said.
“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.”
