Keswick Becomes a Virtual Railway Station for Sustainable Travel

Avanti West Coast has added Keswick as a destination on its rail journey planners, allowing travelers to purchase a single ticket that covers both train and bus travel. This initiative supports the "Go Car Free" campaign by Cumbria Tourism, promoting eco-friendly travel in the region.

Stagecoach, the bus company, has doubled the frequency of its services connecting Penrith and Keswick to every 30 minutes for the summer season. This improvement, in collaboration with Avanti West Coast, enhances connectivity to the Lake District, making it more convenient for visitors.

The new virtual railway station feature allows passengers to view train and bus departure times and book a fully integrated ticket for their journey. This ticket is valid on the West Coast Main Line services to Penrith and Stagecoach’s X4 and X5 buses to Keswick, streamlining the travel process by eliminating the need for multiple tickets.

Tickets are currently available for travel until early September, with additional tickets for travel up to November 1 set to be released soon. Customers can choose ‘Keswick Bus’ as their destination when booking through Avanti West Coast’s website, app, or at ticket offices.

After arriving at Penrith by train, visitors can easily board the X4 or X5 bus to Keswick for an extra £2, enhancing the convenience of their travel. This integrated ticket system aims to encourage more visitors to opt for sustainable travel options by providing a hassle-free experience.

The collaboration between Avanti West Coast, Stagecoach, and Cumbria Tourism aims to inspire more people to leave their cars behind and travel by train and bus. With the average journey from London to Keswick taking about three and a half hours and fares starting at £33.50, it’s an appealing option for eco-conscious travelers.

In addition to the integrated ticket system, Avanti West Coast has partnered with Arragon’s Cycles to offer an electric bike hire service with free delivery and collection at Penrith, further promoting sustainable travel in the region.

Sarah Copley, Executive Director of Commercial at Avanti West Coast, expressed pride in supporting the gateway to the Lakes and making it easier for visitors to travel to this stunning part of the world. She emphasized the convenience of the integrated ticket system in supporting the car-free campaign and encouraging greener travel choices.

Gill Haigh, Managing Director at Cumbria Tourism, praised the initiative for aligning with their vision of making Cumbria Britain’s most sustainable rural destination. Tom Waterhouse, Managing Director for Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire, also highlighted the joint ticketing initiative’s role in promoting sustainable travel to the region.