PUBLIC transport has withstood the crisis but rationing measures have been introduced in some quarters.

The Windermere Ferry cut services yesterday (Thursday).

John Robinson, of Cumbria County Council, said demand-only services had been introduced to conserve their scarce fuel supply.

"We are only running the ferry when it is approximately half full.

It is unfortunate that this will cause delay to some people but we thought this was a better option than cutting the service completely at a later date.

If the present situation continues we have enough fuel to last through until the middle of next week."

Stage Coach Cumberland has been forced to cut services in the Carlisle and Lancaster areas to ration fuel.

In those areas emergency timetables began today (Friday) but Barrow, Kendal, Penrith and West Cumbria depots were running normal services.

The 555 service between Carlisle, Keswick, Kendal and Lancaster was also operating as normal.

Train companies in the region, including Virgin, First North Western and Northern Spirit, were operating normal services, although Northern Spirit said staff were beginning to experience difficulties in getting to work.

First North Western said that, as yet, no fuel conservation contingency plans had been introduced.