Tourism at one of the UK’s most popular beauty spots could be affected by rising bus fares, according to experts. Businesses at the Lake District in Cumbria are concerned higher bus tickets could be a barrier to employment and turn potential staff away.
A new study by Cumbria Tourism of businesses in the area found that 80% of employers were concerned about the removal of the £3 bus fare cap.The poll found that 99% of respondents have used the recent £2/£3 bus fares, either for commuting, leisure travel, or business trips. More than 40% of those polled said they hadn’t used buses before the new fare caps were introduced in 2024, with costs among the biggest barriers.
A spokesperson for Cumbria Tourism said: “There is concern for employers that if the cap is removed, staff may stop using buses due to cost and this could affect punctuality, job access and reliability.”
The Lake District is one of the UK’s most popular tourist destinations with a staggering 18 million visitors every year.
A £2 bus fare cap was introduced in Cumbria, in 2024 with total fees rising to £3 per trip at the start of 2025.
However, Cumbria Tourism warns that there is no guarantee that the current £3 bus fare cap will continue beyond this year.
The group says they have continued to work closely with tourism businesses, local authorities and transport providers to make services available for workers.
If the fee was scrapped, the poll found that the majority said they wouldn’t continue using buses.
This could be a hammer blow to local business owners who are concerned about staffing levels if the discount was axed.
Lesley Townson from Lakeside Hotel said: “Since I don’t drive, the £3 rate is a game-changer for me. If it increased, I’d either have to rely on others to provide lifts or cut back on essentials elsewhere – neither is a great option.”
Likewise, Kyle Nesbitt, Sales and Merchandising Manager at Grasmere Gingerbread commented: “The £3 bus fare makes it possible for me to get to work without it costing a large portion of my income each week.”
