So, you’ve arrived in your student accommodation in Lancaster, the year is getting well under way and you’re enjoying getting to know your fellow students. Everything seems to be going so well, until you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, stranded on one of the buses.
Getting to grips with bus timetables in a new city can be a rather complicated process, but don’t worry, we’ve put together a handy little guide that should help you figure it all out, so you’ll be able to get to and from campus like a pro.
Lancaster University
The good news is that Lancaster University benefits from one of the most frequent campus-to-city-centre timetables in the UK. So, if you find yourself on campus, desperately needing to get to Sainsbury’s to pick up some all-important supplies, you’ll be pleased to know that there is a total of 14 buses per hour from Monday to Saturday until 7pm. A less frequent service then runs daily until around midnight, with a limited, later night bus (N1) service during term time.
All the buses drop off and collect passengers from the Underpass, which you can find underneath Alexandra Square in the centre of campus, except for an hourly 40 or 41 bus that calls at the University gates only. Additionally, the 2 and 42, along with certain 4, 40 and 41 buses serve the southern perimeter road and South West campus. There are also stops directly outside the Sports Centre on the main drive, and all buses which serve the Underpass stop here – so you’ll be able to jump off here to attend that all important yoga class.
Getting to Campus
With CityBlock conveniently located on Penny Street, as well as our two new builds coming this year in the centre of the city, all you have to do is walk a short distance to George Street and head to stand E. There you’ll find the regular direct service of the number 1 bus which will drop you off at the University, just a 10-minute drive away.
The bus station can be found on Damside Street and most services also stop at Common Garden Street. As well as the 1 bus which provides a service every 10 minutes, the 1A, 4, 4X, 40, 41, 42 and 100 also serve the University.
If you’re a student at the University of Cumbria, the Lancaster campus is only a 5-minute walk from your CityBlock accommodation.
Unirider
While you’re a student, it’s definitely worth looking into the Lancaster Unirider. The Unirider is a bus ticket which is only available to students attending either the University of Cumbria (Lancaster Campus) or Lancaster University. You can apply for the UniRider ticket from the main Student Union reception at either institution. This ticket offers unlimited bus travel on all Stagecoach services in Lancaster, not just the ones which serve the universities.
Venturing Further Afield
Want to get out of Lancaster for the day? Well, that’s easy. A number of Megabus’ and National Express services run from both the campus and Lancaster bus station (just a five-minute walk from CityBlock). Prior booking is advised with these and they serve most of the UK.
