ISSUES with the reliability of bus services in West Cumbria have led to a complaint about Stagecoach to its regulator.
Cumberland Council has referred Stagecoach to the North West Regional Traffic Regulator due to concerns about the poor service.
And the move has been backed by Josh MacAlister, Member of Parliament for Whitehaven and Workington who said he has been dissatisfied with Stagecoach's lack of action to address issues with reliability.
Mr MacAlister said: "Buses really matter to people here in West Cumbria, that’s why it’s been really positive that in the last few months, we’ve been able to create new routes, funded by the UK Labour Government and delivered by the Labour team here in Cumberland; routes like the 22 and the 600. I get lots of positive feedback about how those bus routes are performing.
"But there are also wholly commercial routes like the 30, where the reliability is on the floor, it’s simply not good enough.
"Now I’ve raised these issues, every time that someone’s reported them to me, directly with the team at Stagecoach and I’ve not been satisfied with the answer I’ve been given or the plans that they’ve got in place to solve issues of reliability. They have to have a plan to get a grip of that.
"That’s why I’m really supportive of the work that’s been done by the Labour team at Cumberland to report Stagecoach to the Regional Traffic Commissioner and I’ll keep working really closely with the Labour team at Cumberland to ensure that we get Stagecoach bumped up, improving, so that you get buses that you deserve."
The Labour Government announced in 2024 that it would provide £5 million in funding to Cumberland Council to enhance and protect popular bus routes.
By February 2, 2026, 18 new and enhanced bus services were operating across Cumberland with the support of the council, delivered by Stagecoach and Reays, including Route 60 from Silloth to Maryport; the Route 30 Sunday service from Maryport to Egremont and Cleator Moor as well as Route 300 from Workington to Carlisle.
Early monitoring, reported in February 2026, showed increases in passenger uses of up to 50 per cent.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said in her Alternative King's Speech last month that, if elected, her party will reintroduce minimum service levels across key sectors such as transport.
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A Stagecoach Cumbria and Lancashire spokesperson said that it recognises the concerns raised by Josh MacAlister MP and it fully understands "the frustration experienced by customers when services do not operate as expected."
They said: "We take our responsibility to deliver reliable and dependable bus services across Cumberland extremely seriously.
"While bus operations across Cumberland continue to be affected by significant factors outside our control, including extensive roadworks, congestion and wider highway disruption, we remain focused on improving the service we provide and earning the trust of customers through consistent delivery and open communication."
In May, Stagecoach said that a lack of co-ordination in the planning of roadworks across Cumberland is causing undue disruption to the road network and its services.
But the company spokesperson said: "We remain committed to working constructively with Cumberland Council, the current local MP and the Traffic Commissioner to deliver the reliable, resilient and accountable bus network that communities across West Cumbria deserve."
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