At Stagecoach we are proud of the part we play in keeping people moving, whether they are visitors exploring the Lake District or locals making their daily commute to work.

And we are busy recruiting for people to join our team in a variety of roles including apprentice, trainee and experienced drivers.

During the Covid-19 pandemic we kept the buses running as much as possible because we know what an important part they play in the local economy and people’s lives.

This is why we are only too happy to sponsor the Love Local Jobs Tourism and Hospitality campaign alongside Newsquest/LOCALiQ Cumbria so we can help this vital sector when it needs us most.

Rob Jones, managing director Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire, said: “The hospitality and tourism sector has had an unbelievably tough year and to be hit by such a major staffing crisis when businesses should be on the path to recovery is a particularly cruel twist.

The Westmorland Gazette:

“We take pride in the part we play in helping people discover the wonderful attractions, pubs, restaurants and cafes across the county, as well as transporting the hardworking staff who keep them open. We are only too happy to sponsor this campaign to support this important industry which brings so many benefits to us all.”

And Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire currently has vacancies of its own for apprentice, trainee and experienced drivers across the county, as well as for other positions.

Rob added: “We’d like to hear from anyone who can help us continue doing a great job of serving our communities. We offer free training and flexible working patterns alongside a wide range of other benefits, so please do get in touch to find out more.”

Jonathan Byers, 33, from Carlisle, is one of the bus drivers who has worked through most of the whole of lockdown, mostly on country routes from Carlisle to Dumfries, Silloth and Annan.

He was able to give some insight into the unique job satisfaction that can be had working on Stagecoach’s buses.

He switched from working at Center Parcs to training as a driver for Stagecoach in 2017, following the example of his grandfather Robert.

"My grandad, who passed away a few years ago, enjoyed it and always had good things to say about the company so I thought why not follow in his footsteps and become a bus driver?" said Jonathan.

Jonathan, who lives on Boundary Road, Currock, was on furlough for three weeks at the start of the first lockdown.

When he returned buses were operating at Sunday service levels but have reacted to demand according to fluctuating lockdown restrictions.

With the vaccination programme offering some "light at the end of the tunnel", Jonathan feels he and his fellow drivers will be able to look back and say they did a good job during the pandemic.

"I take pride in my job and I believe a lot of my colleagues would agree that we do provide an essential service. There's always got to be buses regardless of what's going on out there.

“People still need to get from A to B, whether it's shop workers, NHS staff, school kids, people who need to go to the shops to get their essentials. We're the ones who, if people haven't got their own transport, they rely on."

To find out more about Stagecoach’s vacancies, click: Stagecoach Careers