Cumbria Classic Coaches replacement services

[Ballyheigue]

As it's coming up soon to the time when we will see if any of Cumbria Classic Coaches bus services have been replaced, I thought I'd start a thread here to specifically discuss this, as it could end up scattered over a number of threads given other companies may want to replace their services.

So far, last time I heard, nobody was interested on taking on the popular 572 which last time I used it had a number of fare paying passengers paying £15 return from Kirkby Stephen. There isn't really anyone I can think of who would want to take this route on so it's looking very likely October 1st will be the very last time, probably ever, that the A66 and the top road over to Middleton in Teesdale will see a bus service. There was talk of the 106 going out to tender but haven't heard anything about this yet. Maybe (even though it's totally unsuitable) Western Dales Community Transport will take on the 570 and 571 but that will be a big risk to them as they'll defo need more than one bus on those routes. I'd be ruling out Westmoreland Council tendering any of these services as they were ran commercially so they'll see it as commercially viable.

 

[peterblue]

As it's coming up soon to the time when we will see if any of Cumbria Classic Coaches bus services have been replaced, I thought I'd start a thread here to specifically discuss this, as it could end up scattered over a number of threads given other companies may want to replace their services.

So far, last time I heard, nobody was interested on taking on the popular 572 which last time I used it had a number of fare paying passengers paying £15 return from Kirkby Stephen. There isn't really anyone I can think of who would want to take this route on so it's looking very likely October 1st will be the very last time, probably ever, that the A66 and the top road over to Middleton in Teesdale will see a bus service. There was talk of the 106 going out to tender but haven't heard anything about this yet. Maybe (even though it's totally unsuitable) Western Dales Community Transport will take on the 570 and 571 but that will be a big risk to them as they'll defo need more than one bus on those routes. I'd be ruling out Westmoreland Council tendering any of these services as they were ran commercially so they'll see it as commercially viable.

I highly doubt there will be any replacement for the 572, and I would consider replacements for the 570/571 to be somewhat unlikely.

The 106 will definitely be replaced, I imagine by Stagecoach with just one bus.

 

[Ballyheigue]

I highly doubt there will be any replacement for the 572, and I would consider replacements for the 570/571 to be somewhat unlikely.

The 106 will definitely be replaced, I imagine by Stagecoach with just one bus.

I bet Stagecoach ask a higher price for the 106 and if so does the 106 group have the money? If not then we could be looking at someone like Kirkby Lonsdale buses if they're interested, and that's a big if given their location. A last resort would be Western Dales Bus but they haven't got suitable buses for the busier months.

Regarding the 572, their is a lot of anger brewing in Kirkby Stephen, not against Cumbria Classic Coaches but against the local council and other bus companies not willing to take the route on. There's some sort of petition going around the main communities along the route, Ravenstonedale, Kirkby Stephen and Brough (wouldn't surprise me if it was going about Barnard Castle too lol), so it wouldn't surprise me if a 572 group was set up with a view of tendering out the route so someone like the 106 group did.

 

[Jimmi]

Kirkby Lonsdale Coach Hire have registered to operate the 106 between Penrith & Kendal, effective September 30th.

 

[Ballyheigue]

Kirkby Lonsdale Coach Hire have registered to operate the 106 between Penrith & Kendal, effective September 30th.

Wow, was kind of but at the same time wasn't expecting that one, I bet it's costing the 106 group more but still probably was cheaper than the Stagecoach bid.

 

[Ballyheigue]

If anyone is turning up for the last run out of Cumbria Classic Coaches route 572 next week, please be aware it's strictly booking only. Someone I know in Brough has said the list of booked passengers is touching the 200 mark with more expected, off the record Cumbria Classic Coaches will not be advertising this final run out for obvious reasons as they are saying it's going to be very busy in the Kirkby Stephen area.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

If anyone is turning up for the last run out of Cumbria Classic Coaches route 572 next week, please be aware it's strictly booking only. Someone I know in Brough has said the list of booked passengers is touching the 200 mark with more expected, off the record Cumbria Classic Coaches will not be advertising this final run out for obvious reasons as they are saying it's going to be very busy in the Kirkby Stephen area.

If it's a registered local service anyone can travel. The operator is required to provide sufficient capacity for the expected number of passengers! Given they have advance notice of 200 plus passengers that'll be 2 or more duplicates then.

 

[route101]

Kirkby Lonsdale Coach Hire have registered to operate the 106 between Penrith & Kendal, effective September 30th.

Operating every day?

 

[Leedsbusman]

Operating every day?

Tuesday and Friday

Buses | Westmorland and Furness Council

www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

 

[JKP]

Tuesday and Friday

Buses | Westmorland and Furness Council

www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

Could not the 106 be timed to leave Shap after the Stagecoach route rather than 10 minutes in front?

 

[Ballyheigue]

If it's a registered local service anyone can travel. The operator is required to provide sufficient capacity for the expected number of passengers! Given they have advance notice of 200 plus passengers that'll be 2 or more duplicates then.

No, it's just a one off special to bid a final farewell to the company as the official registered service ended last week.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Sep 2025 ==

2 quick updates, the 106 Stagecoach journeys are expected to change times in early November and the Cumbria Classic Coaches one off special on route 572 tomorrow is now fully booked according to someone I know in Brough. I've heard they are going to be running all the buses so it still should be a spectacular event for those unlucky enough not to have a seat.