Bus route changes put to public

The council wants to ensure it is getting value for money on bus use

Bus users in Cumbria are being given the chance to discuss possible changes to council-funded routes.

Cumbria County Council spends about £2m every year subsidising routes which are unprofitable for local operators.

This can amount to more than £20 per passenger, so as part of a funding review the council is trying to build up a detailed picture of bus use.

Information is being handed out at the mobile library parked in Carlisle city centre on Thursday and Friday.

Ian Stewart, Cumbria County Council cabinet member for transport and the environment, said: "Some of the routes we support are enormously expensive.

"They can cost more than £20 per passenger for every journey made, and that's on top of the fare paid by the passenger - so we need to make sure we are getting value for money.

"The amount of money we receive from the government to support bus services is going down next year so now is the right time for a full review of passenger transport in this county."