The changes are made up of improvements to existing services and the introduction of new services too. These enhancements and additions are funded by the extra £4.5 million we have received on top of the council’s £47 million Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) programme.
Our Cabinet Member for Highways Assets and Transport, Councillor Charlotte Cupit, said:
“These service improvements are brilliant news for our county and build on the more than 20 service improvements we’ve done under our BSIP programme so far.
“They cover a mix of areas and aims, from tourism in the Peak District, building on our launch last year of the first leg of the popular open top sightseer bus, to extra services in the Bolsover area to support employment. We’re also expanding the popular Derbyshire Connect shopping service.
“It is great to work with local operators to make a number of these improvements happen, and we hope the enhancements will encourage more people to give the bus a go.”
Peak Sightseer Blue
The Peak Sightseer open-top bus is back and better than ever this summer with the brand new, additional Blue route. The Blue route runs from Chatsworth via Baslow and Grindleford and then along the Hope Valley to Castleton before finishing at the Blue John Caverns. The Red route is similar to the service operated last summer, with a circular route running from Chatsworth to Bakewell, Ashford in the Water, Hassop before returning to Chatsworth. Peak Sightseer is running 7 days a week until the start of October 2024 and then weekends only until the end of the autumn half term holiday.
62 Peak Pathfinder
The 62 Peak Pathfinder is a new service to provide a direct link from Buxton to Castleton for the first time. This allows residents from the Hope Valley to access the health, shopping and leisure facilities in Buxton and Chapel-en-le-Frith and allow improved access to this section of the national park for tourism. The route also restores a regular bus service to Edale and is scheduled to link with rail services from there to Manchester. The service operates all week from approximately 8.30am to 7pm.
Service 61 Glossop to Buxton
The 61 service runs between Glossop and Buxton. From 14 July 2024, the 61 will see an increased frequency to every 30 minutes for most of the day Monday to Friday, with a later evening arrival in Buxton and Glossop after 7:30pm
rainbow one
The rainbow one service runs between Ripley and Nottingham via Heanor. From 14 July 2024, there will be additional early morning journeys Monday to Saturday to give a pre 6am arrival in Nottingham for shift workers, as well as improved links to other employment sites such as Access 26 in Langley Mill.
swift
The swift service runs between Ashbourne and Derby via Brailsford and Kirk Langley. From 28 July 2024, the frequency will be increased from a current hourly service to every 30 minutes daytime Monday to Saturday. Every other journey will be diverted to serve the new housing developments in Mackworth, Radbourne Lane and Kirk Langley.
Derbyshire Connect Shopping Bus service in the Hope Valley
The Derbyshire Connect Shopping Bus services provides a weekly door-to-door service from peoples home to a local town centre. From week commencing the 15 July 2024 this improved service will give communities in the Hope Valley a second journey a week allowing them to access an alternative destination.
231 Pinxton, South Normanton and Alfreton
The 231 service runs between Pinxton, South Normanton and Alfreton. From 2 September 2024 there will be additional afternoon journey to make it easier for residents to access shopping, leisure and employment opportunities.