MP makes case in House of Commons for Cumbria rural bus services 28/01/2021 Penrith and the Border MP Neil Hudson has raised the issue of Cumbrian rural bus services at Transport Questions in the House of Commons. Dr Hudson asked the transport minister Robert Courts: âWhat steps his Department is taking to improve access to bus services in rural areas in Cumbria?â Mr Courts answered: âWe are developing a National Bus Strategy for England, Cumbria is participating in phase two of the Rural Mobility Fund.â In a supplementary question, Dr Hudson asked âBus services offer a vital lifeline for people in rural communities like Penrith and the Border and the importance of this connectivity has been brought into sharp relief in the pandemic.