Return of Keswick’s virtual railway station to support sustainable journeys in the Lakes

• Avanti West Coast and Stagecoach bring back integrated ticket in Cumbria
• Visitors to Lake District can travel seamlessly across rail and bus with one ticket
• Return of sustainable initiative follows successful trial as part of Cumbria Tourism’s award-winning ‘Go Car Free’ campaign

Visitors to the Lake District can once again enjoy seamless journeys by train and bus this summer with the return of Keswick’s virtual railway station.

Avanti West Coast has added the picturesque town of Keswick as a destination on rail journey planners – reintroducing a ticket covering both modes of transport to travel to the region.

It comes as bus company, Stagecoach, launches its summer timetable – doubling the frequency of services connecting Penrith and Keswick to every 30 minutes.

The return of the fully integrated ticket follows a successful trial last year as part of the award-winning ‘Go Car Free’ campaign by Local Visitor Economy Partnership, Cumbria Tourism, supported by Avanti West Coast and Stagecoach. The improved connectivity and seamless journey experience across public transport makes it even easier to visit the Lake District without a car, enabling sustainable trips.

Over the five-month trial, 750 journeys were made to and from Keswick using the joint ticket.

The renewed partnership between the train company, bus operator and Cumbria Tourism hopes to encourage more people to leave their car behind this summer.

Keswick’s virtual railway station means people can view the timings of the train and bus departures online, as well as book a single fully integrated ticket for their entire journey.

The ticket can be used on Avanti West Coast’s services to Penrith (gateway to the North Lakes) and Stagecoach’s connecting X4 and X5 bus service to Keswick – without the need for multiple transactions.

Tickets are now on sale for travel until 19 June with more set to be released in the coming weeks for travel dates up to 2 November – the end of the scheme. Customers simply select ‘Keswick Bus’ as their destination when booking via Avanti West Coast’s website and app or at ticket offices, to receive one ticket for their complete journey.

With the average journey time from London to the centre of the North Lakes taking three and a half hours by rail and bus, and a single rail fare costing from £38 (plus an extra £3 for the bus), the initiative aims to make easier for more people to choose greener travel options.

Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Experience Director at Avanti West Coast, said: “We’re delighted to be offering a fully integrated ticket to the heart of the North Lakes, so visitors can once again reach this beautiful part of the world more easily.

“By making it possible to complete entire journeys across public transport with just one ticket, we’re supporting Cumbria Tourism to champion exploring the region using greener travel options. We hope it will inspire more people to leave their car behind and take the train and bus to visit the Lake District’s beautiful scenery on foot or public transport.”

Tom Waterhouse, Managing Director at Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Avanti West Coast once again on this joint ticketing initiative. It helps people to visit this beautiful part of the world in a sustainable way and makes travelling by bus and train a seamless experience.”

Markus Campbell-Savours, MP for Penrith and Solway, said: “I fully support this initiative that won’t only make it easier for those without cars to travel to the heart of the Lake District but will also reduce congestion on the roads in towns and villages across Cumbria. As a local politician, I’m acutely aware of the congestion we experience in the summer holidays and anything that helps people travel to Cumbria in a joined up and sustainable way, is a good thing.”

Gill Haigh, Managing Director at Cumbria Tourism, said: “We’re delighted to see the return of the integrated ticket to Keswick with Avanti West Coast and Stagecoach. Sustainable travel remains an integral part of our Destination Management Plan for the future and this ticketing option makes it incredibly easy for travellers to reach us in this way.”

ENDS