By Julian Whittle

Last updated at 17:08, Friday, 30 March 2012

Extra buses will run between Carlisle and Keswick when a new timetable is launched on Monday.

David Killick: Possible to get to Wasdale Head without using car

Stagecoach is also introducing a new through service from Penrith to Windermere and Bowness via Glenridding and the Kirkstone Pass as part of its summer schedule.

And tomorrow sees the launch of a Saturday-only minibus link from Seascale to Wasdale Head, connecting with trains from Carlisle.

It is being made easier to get to the Lake District by public transport on the back of booming passenger numbers in recent years, particularly since free off-peak travel for pensioners became a nationwide entitlement in 2008.

Stagecoach’s new timetable provides five buses a day between Carlisle and Keswick on weekdays, six on Saturdays and four on Sundays and bank holidays.

Most pass through Wigton but one – two on Saturdays – goes via Dalston and Caldbeck. There are connections at Keswick to Borrowdale, Buttermere, Ambleside, Windermere, Kendal and Lancaster.

The 108 bus from Penrith to Patterdale is extended over the Kirkstone Pass to Bowness on Saturdays and Sundays and also Mondays to Fridays during the school summer holidays.

Weekend departures from Penrith have been re-timed to provide better connections with buses from Carlisle.

Stagecoach is also extending its range of Explorer unlimited-travel tickets.

In addition to the adult and family tickets, priced at £10 and £21.50 respectively, a group Explorer allows up to five adults to travel all day in Cumbria and Lancashire for £28. The new link from Seascale to Wasdale Head is run by Sim’s Travel of Eskdale on Saturdays until September 29.

A bus connects with the 8.37am train from Carlisle – it waits if the train is late – arriving in Wasdale at 10.45am.

The return bus leaves Wasdale at 5.10pm arriving at Seascale at 5.50pm for the 6.16pm train to Carlisle.

Fares are £5 single or return for adults, and £3 for children under 16, with no free travel for concessions.

The service is the idea of David Killick, clerk to Wasdale parish meeting.

He said: “We wanted to show that it’s possible to get to Wasdale without using a car. It’s a small gesture but, if it were to take off, fewer people would need to use their cars to get there.”

Wasdale Head offers the shortest ascent of Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain.

The new service opens up the possibility of linear walks from Wasdale to Borrowdale, Buttermere or Langdale from where it is possible to return to Carlisle on Stagecoach buses.

Alternatively, walkers could head south to Eskdale and return by the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway.

Passengers can guarantee a seat by calling Sim’s on 019467 23227 although reservations are not compulsory.

Stagecoach timetables are in its free The Lakes Connection booklet, available from tourist information centres and the TanZo-Go office at Carlisle bus station, or online at www.stagecoachbus.com. Details of the Wasdale bus link are at www.cumbria.gov.uk.

First published at 14:10, Friday, 30 March 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk