Community Minibuses
An alternative way public transport problems in rural areas can be overcome is through the County Council working together with community transport organisations through the action and sustained effort of volunteers. These schemes provide minibus services within the community to have accessible and affordable transport with a driver supplied.
Another way public transport problems in rural areas can be overcome is through Community Minibus sharing schemes. These schemes help groups and organisations within the community to have accessible and affordable vehicles, which can be either on a self-drive basis or with a driver supplied.
The sharing scheme is only open to non-profit making groups or organisations and they must be involved in one or more of the following activities:
- Social welfare
- Education
- Religion
- Recreation
- Other activities to benefit the community
The scheme is not open to groups or organisations of a commercial or profit-making nature, nor is it open to members of the general public acting outside of the criteria above.
If you are part of a local community group that has a transport need, please contact Cumbria Community Transport using the details below:
Cumbria Community Transport
- Penrith Office - Colin Bannister, Transport Co-ordinator 01768 721207
- Kendal Office - Lyn Howarth, Transport Co-ordinator 01539 727001
Cumbria Community Transport website
Cumbria Community Transport Leaflet (PDF 1.1MB)
Community Wheels
Cumbria County Council was allocated £288,000 by the Department for Transport in 2012-2013 as part of a 2nd nationwide settlement of "Community Transport Transitional Funding" to enhance community transport across the country.
This funding is has been used by the County Council to develop a sustainable transport solution. Six accessible Community Minibuses were purchased to be used to provide regular transport in areas where scheduled bus services are not sustainable or where users of other Council community transport services could be more efficiently transported together.
Visit Community Wheels to find out more.
Volunteering Opportunities
If you have a full UK driving licence with D1 entitlement and enjoy driving and meeting people, then driving community minibuses is a great way to get out and about in your spare time. Basic training is provided and Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme (MiDAS) is also available. All volunteer expenses are reimbursed.
The Fellrunner provides a network of scheduled bus services in the Eden and Lyvennet Valleys.
Telephone: 07734 529432
Northern Fells run a demand responsive accessible minibus for those without their own transport in the parishes of Boltons, Caldbeck, Castle, Sowerby, Ireby with Uldale, Mungrisdale, Sebergham and Welton and Westward and Rosley.
Telephone: 016974 78787
Western Dales Bus provides community transport for the Western Dales and Lune Valley. Buses currently run between Dent, Sedbergh and Kendal on Wednesdays and Saturdays all year round.
Telephone: 015396 20504
Section 19 Permits
Westmorland Council issues standard Section 19 Permits as a Governing Body. Please note that we do not issue large bus permits (17 or more passenger seats) - these can only be issued by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).
To find out more information on Section 19 Permits, please visit VOSA's website
To apply for a new permit, please complete the form below and send to the address below. Please note that the charge is £9.90 per permit (there is no charge for replacement permits) and cheques are to be made payable to Westmorland Council or you can pay over the phone using the contact telephone numbers below.
Please also include details of who is the owner of the vehicle and how many vehicles the organisation has.
Application for a standard or large bus permit (PDF 934KB)
If you need a replacement permit if yours is lost or faded, please contact the Transport Services Team:
Voluntary Transport Officer
Westmorland & Furness Council
PO Box 415
Carlisle
CA1 9GU
Mobile: 07788 396194
Telephone: 0333 240 69 65 (option 5 - charged at local rate)