Steven Knight continues his travels by bus in the Lake District, taking a journey over the highest road in the region, and gets the chance to travel on a brand-new bus
It was another early start on the Tuesday morning and at 0911hrs we were back on a 555 through to Kendal. Loadings were slightly down on Monday’s journey, but in Windermere around 50% of passengers departed, with a similar number joining – many using their concessionary passes. Today’s plan was to head to Kendal for a look around the shops before taking a trip on a route that only operates between March and early November, due to the potential for heavy snowfall blocking the road.
As passengers alighted at Windermere there was the opportunity to grab front seats for the rest of the journey through to Kendal. The Alexander Dennis Enviro400MMCs used on the route offer super front seat views, but I had to do a double take along the way. I knew that the open-top Lakesider buses operated positioning trips between Kendal (where Stagecoach has a depot) and Windermere but the one heading towards us has its destination set at 555 Keswick. Now Kendal to Keswick would have been an open-top bus experience!
On arrival in Kendal, I was able to photograph Optare Solo 47001 (KX51 CRU), which although in regular service, is part of the Stagecoach Cumbria heritage fleet. It was the first Optare Solo to be bought by Stagecoach back in 2001.
Kendal is the gateway to the Southern Lakes and offers easy access to stunning untamed countryside, a chance to stroll on the banks of the River Kent and take in breathtaking views over the Lakeland fells from Scout Scar.
We then headed back to Bowness on Windermere on the direct 755, which operates from Heysham via Morecambe and Carnforth. This service is worked by Morecambe depot, and we joined another Enviro400MMC, this time 11209 (SK19 EWB), painted in the current Stagecoach ‘local’ corporate colours. The bus was busy, and we decided to stay on to Bowness, as we had some time before our next bus.
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