MP calls for urgent bus routes meeting after tender results

Local MP Tim Farron has called for an urgent meeting with the County Council, Stagecoach and the new bus providers to talk to them about local issues and make sure residents do not see a dip in service.

There are major concerns about the knock on affect of these new contact awards. Last year Stagecoach took new routes after the county council proposed a series of cuts to services that would have left many communities inSouth Lakelandisolated. The cuts were only stopped after a major community campaign led by Tim and local parish councils and thanks to Stagecoach who were able to step in to help save services to Levens, Sedgwick and Natland.

The services they took on were loss making ones and Stagecoach is currently running them as a good will gesture to the council and community.

The tender document released by the County Council shows that Stagecoach has lost the contact for the X35 Barrow-Kendal, all Kendal town services, 106 Penrith-Kendal. But Stagecoach has kept the contact for X35 Sunday and Bank Holiday service.

The new services will be run by Travellers Choice and Kirkby Lonsdale Coach Hire.

Stagecoach has kept the tenders on Kendal to Arnside route, Kendal to Kirkby Lonsdale and they will take over the 532 Grange-Lindale to Cartmel route from Kirkby Lonsdale Coach Hire.WindermereTownservices will now be run by Blueworks after they won the tender Lakes Minibus Hire

Tim said: "I plan to meet all the companies who have won the tenders and make sure residents continue to get the same level of service. I will also push them hard to try and bring down fare prices. I will also meet with Stagecoach urgently to talk to them about their plans for other routes and to make sure they keep providing a vital link for communities in the South Lakes."