Lake District bus tours ready for World Car Free Day

The annual event, held on September 22, encourages people to walk, cycle, or use public transport to reduce pollution, congestion, and harmful CO₂ emissions.

The hope is that this will lead to a long-term reduction in car usage.

Recent data suggests that the British public is increasingly receptive to this message, with half of people saying they would like to use public transport more often.

Additionally, 56 per cent express a desire to walk or cycle more.

This year, World Car Free Day falls on a Sunday, providing an ideal opportunity to explore the beautiful Cumbrian countryside by bus.

Tom Waterhouse, managing director of Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire, said: "I’d like to thank all our passengers because every time they take the bus, they’re doing their bit for the planet.

"According to Net Zero Nation, replacing car trips with bus travel reduces CO₂ emissions by a massive 42 per cent.

"That isn’t the only benefit.

Tom Waterhouse is the new Interim Managing Director for Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire (Image: Harry Atkinson)

"You can make better use of time on the bus, perhaps by reading a good book on your daily commute, and there’s a better view of the countryside from the bus, especially from our double-deckers.

"Even if you’re a dyed-in-the-wool motorist, I hope you’ll give the bus a go on World Car Free Day.

"You’ll be pleasantly surprised."

For those looking to explore the Lake District, Stagecoach will provide several routes on World Car Free Day.

Open-top buses will run every 20 minutes between Bowness, Windermere, Ambleside, and Grasmere.

There will be a half-hourly open-top service from Keswick to Seatoller in Borrowdale.

Hourly buses will operate from Keswick to Buttermere, from Ambleside to Dungeon Ghyll and to Coniston, and from Penrith to Patterdale, with some journeys continuing over Kirkstone Pass to Windermere.

An hourly service will run from Workington to Keswick and Penrith.

Sixteen buses will operate from Kendal to Windermere, Ambleside, and Keswick.

Seven journeys will run from Carlisle to Keswick, seven from Barrow to Windermere, and seven from Lancaster to Windermere and Keswick.

Catching the bus will cost travellers £2 with the national adult fare cap.

Pensioners can also travel for free on any Stagecoach bus with a NoW card.