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Local Cockermouth · West Cumbria

Papcastle gets its own bus into Cockermouth from Monday, and the C123 and 68 are changing New C4 bus for Papcastle as Cockermouth town buses and the 68 change from Monday

By Kris WM, editor 3 min read From Cumberland Council
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New C4 bus for Papcastle as Cockermouth town buses and the 68 change from Monday
Photo: Adrian Taylor via Geograph / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 (bus stop on Gote Bridge, Cockermouth)

From Monday the C123 round Cockermouth splits into the C1, C2 and C3, Papcastle gets a new C4 into town, and the 68 to Maryport keeps going with some new times. Stagecoach will run the lot.

This one's for anybody in Cockermouth, Papcastle, Great Broughton or Maryport who uses the town buses or the 68.

The council says from Monday 2 November the C123 round Cockermouth is being swapped for three services, the C1, C2 and C3. There's a brand new C4 as well, giving Papcastle a bus straight into Cockermouth town centre. The 68 between Cockermouth and Maryport keeps going, but some of the times are changing.

Stagecoach will run all five. The 68 and C123 timetables on the council website right now are Reays ones and they're only marked as good until Saturday 31 October, so don't bank on your usual bus being at the same time come Monday.

It's all part of £2.89 million the council's spending on supported buses for 2026/27, with each contract lasting 12 months from when it starts.

Councillor Denise Rollo, who looks after transport on the council, said: "This is great news for residents in Cockermouth and the surrounding communities, helping to maintain important local bus connections and providing a new link for residents in Papcastle and Cockermouth."

She also said: "We want to encourage people to make the most of these services. Whether for work, shopping, appointments or seeing friends and family, the bus offers another convenient way to get around while helping support the future of local public transport."

Not every route made it, mind. The MD1 between Maryport and Dearham has lost its contract, and we've done a separate piece on that.

What you can do: have a look at the new times before Monday. The council's bus timetables page is in the sources below. If the C1 to C4 times aren't on there yet, give it another look over the weekend or ask the driver.

From Monday 2 November the Cockermouth C123 town service becomes the C1, C2 and C3, a new C4 links Papcastle with the town centre, and the 68 to Maryport carries on with some new journey times. All five will be run by Stagecoach.

This is for anyone in Cockermouth, Papcastle, Great Broughton and Maryport who uses the town buses or the 68.

Cumberland Council says that from Monday 2 November, Cockermouth's C123 town service will be replaced by three services numbered C1, C2 and C3. A new C4 will give Papcastle a bus connection to Cockermouth town centre. The 68 between Cockermouth and Maryport will keep running, but some journey times are changing.

All five services will be operated by Stagecoach. The timetables currently on the council's website for the 68 and C123 are run by Reays and are marked as valid only until Saturday 31 October, so the times you are used to may not be the times from Monday.

The routes are part of £2.89 million of supported bus contracts the council is putting in place for 2026/27. Each contract runs for 12 months from its start date.

Councillor Denise Rollo, the council's executive member for sustainable, resilient and connected places, said: "This is great news for residents in Cockermouth and the surrounding communities, helping to maintain important local bus connections and providing a new link for residents in Papcastle and Cockermouth."

She added: "We want to encourage people to make the most of these services. Whether for work, shopping, appointments or seeing friends and family, the bus offers another convenient way to get around while helping support the future of local public transport."

Not every route was kept. The MD1 between Maryport and Dearham lost its contract this week, and we have covered that separately.

What you can do: check the new times before you travel on Monday. The council's bus timetables page is linked in the sources below. If the C1 to C4 timetables are not up yet, ask the driver or check again over the weekend.