Bus and Coach Travel
A comprehensive range of bus and coach services are available from campus, both to the local area and to destinations across the UK.
£2 single fares promotion
Explore North Lancashire and Cumbria by bus with £2 single fares until 30th June 2023. Find out more about bus fares promotions.
Working in partnership with Stagecoach
All local bus services from the University are operated by Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire, with whom the University has developed a close working partnership. This partnership helps ensure the best possible service and support for students and staff travelling to campus by bus. A prioritised campus-to-city bus service, additional services where needed and discounted bus travel are just some of the benefits being realised through the partnership.
An improved Underpass bus stop
The platform in the Underpass was extended a couple of years ago to give passengers more space, and more room for buses too. The air quality has also improved due to lower emission buses being used and much less traffic passing through the Underpass now that the road is for buses only. Further improvements in the Underpass are being delivered in summer 2023 including to drainage, lighting, cladding and decoration.
Travelling around campus by bus
All services stop at the Underpass, Sports Centre and Health Innovation Campus, but there are other bus stops on campus too. Some services use the stops on South Campus and South West Campus. This includes a new stop outside the Management School. Furthermore, a great-value 50p single fare applies for all bus journeys within the campus boundary including the Health Innovation Campus from the A6. For pass holders, these journeys are all-inclusive.
Helpful Information
Accordion
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Bus timetables and real time departure information
Real time bus departure information is displayed on the departure screens in the Underpass, Alexandra Square and at some other locations on campus. The University also provides the real time bus departure data displayed on the large screens at Lancaster Bus Station and on the iLancaster app. Please see the Maps section of iLancaster for live bus times from your preferred bus stop.
Stagecoach bus timetables can be accessed via the Stagecoach website.
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North-West Unirider Gold bus pass
The North West Unirider Gold is a Stagecoach bus pass that allows unlimited travel throughout the Stagecoach bus network in many parts of North West England. The pass may particularly appeal to staff and students that live to the South of Lancaster in Preston or Beyond, which are served by direct bus services to the University but are located outside of the Lancaster Unirider zone. The pass may also appeal to students whose home address is in North West England and can commute home using Stagecoach bus services.
The price of the product is significantly reduced for University students and staff compared to the price of the full commercial product for other members of the public.
Unless you are a member of staff, the North West Unirider Gold pass can be obtained through the Stagecoach website where information on the prices of this product and the area in which it is valid is also available.
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Travelling further afield by bus or by coach
Please see the Long Distance Bus and Coach Travel page for details.
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Feedback or complaints on bus services
Please contact Stagecoach directly by email at cumbrianorthlancsenquiries@stagecoachbus.com or via Twitter @stagecoachcnl. Please provide details of date, exact time and precise location.
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Buses to Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's supermarket in Lancaster provide a free student bus on Wednesdays during term-times.
The Sainsbury's Bus is operated by Stagecoach and travels direct between the University Underpass and Sainsbury's Lancaster in both directions on Wednesdays. Passengers are required to spend at least £5 in Lancaster Sainsbury's to use the free bus.
Departure times from the Underpass are 11:08, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 17:00 and 18:00.
Departure times from Sainsbury's Lancaster are 11:35, 12:35, 13:35, 14:35, 16:35, 17:35 and 18:35.
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Buses to the Sugarhouse
The Students' Union provides a free student bus between campus and the Sugarhouse nightclub in the city centre. The service is operated by Stagecoach. Please see the Students' Union website for further details.
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Lancaster Bus Users Group
Lancaster District Bus Users Group exists to further the interests of bus passengers throughout the Lancaster District.
Membership is open to everyone and the subscription is £5 per annum (£2 for bus pass holders and students). The University is a corporate member.
For details of how to join or to learn more about the group please email lancasterbususers@gmail.com
- Useful external links
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Coach and minibus hire for University travel
Staff should follow the guidance for coach and minibus hire available on the Staff Intranet.
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Coach visits to campus
This document provides helpful information to coach drivers and organisers of coach visits to the University campus.