Travel around the Lake District to become much simpler with new £40 pass

Travelling around the Lake District will be simpler this summer thanks to a new travel scheme that gives visitors access to trains, buses and boats under a single pass.

Railway operator Northern said it launched the pass across Cumbria in expectation of an increased number of tourists in the region amid “uncertainty over international travel”.

The Lake District, located in Cumbria, has long attracted visitors to its dramatic fells, picturesque lakes and literary heritage attractions such as Beatrix Potter’s farmhouse.

The Cumbria Travel Pass grants passengers unlimited travel across the county on Northern, TransPennine Express and Avanti trains, Stagecoach bus services and certain Windermere Lake Cruises boats.

Costing £40 per person for a day, or £99 for three days, the passes can be bought from ticket vending machines, station ticket offices and on the Northern website.

Railcards and discounts for children can also be used when buying the pass.

Northern previously ran a different scheme called “Ranger passes”, but this was split into five different types for various areas. The new pass has consolidated these into a simpler and more convenient ticket.

Visitors can use the new pass on Northern’s different rail routes across Cumbria. One of which is the Furness Line, which runs between Barrow-in-Furness and Lancaster, passing beauty spots such as Morecambe Bay, the Lakeland fells and the Cumbria coastline.

Services also operate on the Lakes Line, running between Oxenholme and Windermere, stopping at Kendal, Burneside and Staveley.

Passengers who get off at Oxenholme station can walk or catch a bus to Bowness Pier and use the pass for a sightseeing boat trip with Windermere Lake Cruises.

By making public transport more accessible, is hoped that the pass will encourage more people to visit the Lake District without a car.

Alex Hornby, commercial and customer director at Northern, said: “We’re excited to launch this new travel pass.

“It gives customers real flexibility and peace of mind as they switch between providers, travelling by train, bus and boat – and saves money for those who would usually buy separate tickets for each.

“It’s ideal for anyone looking to travel across this beautiful part of the world, as they can hop on and off at any stop."

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