COMMUTERS relying on a key bus service running between Kendal and Barrow should get a better deal this year thanks to £805,000 of government money.

Cumbria County Council has won the grant from the Department of Transport to invest in the X35 Furness Express which links Kendal, Grange-over-Sands, Ulverston and Barrow.

The money will be used to:

l Increase the frequency of the X35 service from every 90 minutes to every hour;

l Buy new low-floor buses to make life easier for elderly passengers, parents with buggies and wheelchair users;

l Help CCC pay for a time-tabling review of South Lakeland's bus service to make switching between different buses and trains as quick as possible.

CCC spokesman Brian Hough said the authority wanted to invest in the X35 route to assist people travelling for work.

"At the moment we are seeing a rack of job losses across South Lakeland and Furness. Improvements to help people travel and potentially commute across the area is what makes the express route a popular choice."

Transport minister John Spellar said the grant was about improving access to employment, health and other community facilities.

"It's a vital part of tackling social exclusion and delivering integrated and sustainable policy."

February 7, 2003 10:00