The Cumbrian 106 Bus
Partnership is seeking donations to keep the Kendal to Penrith bus
service running. Local authority bus cuts devastated most local
supported services and as a result the 106 Bus Partnership was formed
to keep this local link.
 |
| The 106 is operated by Stagecoach with financial support from the 106 Partnership |
The service was brought
back with just one return run on three days of the week and
eventually extended to five days per week due to the finance
underwritten by the 106 Partnership. An additional run back from
Kendal in the holidays is also operated when the college service
(506) does not run.
The partnership raises
finance to pay the shortfall between money raised from fares and the
cost of running the bus and needs to raise £10,000 to keep the
service running.
Many residents
recognise the value of a regular bus service to their community. They
are not always bus users but are encouraged to make donations
nevertheless. The service is supported by Parish Councils along the
route, plus Penrith Town Council, Eden Housing Association and Kendal
Business Improvement District.
Another service
operates on part of the route between Shap and Kendal. The 570 is run
by Cumbria Classic Coaches on Thursdays only and is timed to depart
from Shap at 10.45 arriving in Kendal at 11.50. The return journey
departs at 14.55 arriving in Shap at 15.57, offering almost three
hours for shopping in Kendal for Shap residents, unlike the 106
service which is timed more for commuters.
 |
| No financial support is on offer to Cumbria Classic Coaches |
Cumbria Classic Coaches
commenced the service following an approach by Shap residents and
unlike the 106 service it receives no financial assistance. Most
passengers make use of their bus passes and travel free of charge on
the registered service, meaning that the operator is only given a
percentage of the actual fare, which has to be claimed back from the
local authority.
As operators of 1940's
and 50's buses, which are somewhat basic compared to more recent
vehicles, Cumbria Classic Coaches decided to invest in a more modern
vehicle to operate this service.
Unlike the classic vehicles it has
efficient heating and more space and comfortable seating but a
problem is now approaching whereby the vehicle does not meet the DDA
regulations for double deck vehicles which start in January 2017. Amongst other things the regulations ensure that disabled passengers can gain access and that a wheelchair bay is provided.
A decision will need to
be made as to whether further investment can take place to acquire an
even more modern vehicle which meets requirements, but, as no support
is offered towards the service it will be a tough decision for the
family run company.
Will Hamer from Cumbria
Classic Coaches commented “We responded to the request from Shap
residents to run the our service and have enjoyed supporting the town
by doing so. However, the costs and the income received are finely
balanced and we will soon have to make a tough decision on whether we
can afford to invest in a more modern vehicle to enable us to
continue running the Shap service.”
