Several bus timetables came into effect at the end of April.

Most services are provided by the various bus operators meeting running costs from the fares charged – but are these fares reasonable?

Where a bus route does not cover its costs, Cumbria County Council subsidises the Operator running the service, but 19 routes have been cut or reduced following a 20% reduction in the national Rural Bus Subsidies grant awarded to our area. Are you affected these changes?

Please let us know if you are affected by the cost of bus fares, or the bus timetables you use. Perhaps you cannot take up a new job because there is no way of getting to work on time, or children cannot attend after school clubs because of fewer buses running on the route you use. We want to hear your stories so we can lobby for better services in rural areas.

If you are elderly or disabled, you can apply for a Nowcard bus pass, giving you free off peak travel on bus services. For more information see www.nowcard.org/index.asp or telephone 0845 058 1096.

Around 17,000 school-age pupils in Cumbria are entitled by law to ‘transport support’ but the way this support is delivered is under review as the County Council looks to reduce the £2 million this costs.

Jobseekers on a New Deal scheme may get reduced price travel when looking for work and sometimes during the first few months of commuting to a new job.

You have to apply for a photocard and the amount of reduction depends on the travel company used. Contact your local Jobcentre Plus for details.

If you have to travel to a hospital for treatment or to visit a relative, you may be able to get help towards your travel costs, ask at the hospital or contact your CAB office for more information about form HC5 or a Community Care Grant.

There’s also Rural Wheels and Volunteer Car Schemes running in our area, in places that are not served by regular bus services. Cumbria has been awarded extra money from the Government to support these schemes. More information from www.cumbria.gov.uk, type Rural Wheels into the search box.

Bus timetables can be viewed at www.cumbria.gov.uk/roads-transport.

Free, confidential advice and help is available on any aspect of this article as well as debt, benefits, employment, and any other problems.

You can contact the Grange or Windermere Citizens Advice Bureau by phone or in person. Call 015395 33100 / 015394 46464 or www.cumbriarural.org.uk