Stagecoach bus route 555
The Lakes Connection 555 is a bus route operated by Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire in Cumbria and Lancashire, England. The scenic route covers a distance of and runs between the towns of Keswick and Lancaster via Grasmere, Windermere, Kendal and Carnforth.
Route
Route 555 starts from Lancaster in the northern part of Lancashire. The route goes via Carnforth, into Cumbria through Milnthorpe and past Levens Hall before stopping at Kendal bus station. Some Saturday & summer journeys run between Lancaster and Kendal via a more direct route using the M6 Motorway.Between Kendal and Keswick, the route generally follows the A591 into the Lake District. The route goes through Staveley, the town of Windermere and alongside the lake of Windermere to Ambleside. The route then continues into and out of the village of Grasmere, passing the lakes Rydal Water, Grasmere and Thirlmere before arriving at Keswick near to Derwent Water.
Previously, the route used to extend around north to Carlisle. The section between Keswick and Carlisle is now served by services 553 and 554, which connect with service 555 at Keswick.
Fleet and operations
In October 2011, nine double-deck Scania N230UD/Alexander Dennis Enviro400 vehicles were introduced, branded in the two-tone green and white Freedom of the Lakes livery. Each vehicle was named after a famous Lake District mountain.In July 2016, twelve double-deck Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 MMC vehicles were introduced, branded in the blue, green and white The Lakes Connection livery.
A further nine double-deck Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 MMC vehicles were introduced in April 2023, replacing the previous fleet. These vehicles feature improved legroom, high-backed seating and tables fitted with wireless chargers.