Two new community bus services will launch on Monday 27 March keeping residents in Allestree, Darley and Spondon connected to their local communities.
Operated by Derbyshire Community Transport in partnership with Derby City Council, and funded by the Government’s Local Transport Fund, two small bus services will be trialled for a period of three months to support residents in communities which currently have no bus service.
The busses will run Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) and will each be able to transport up to 16 passengers. Initially, the service will be free, however a fare may be introduced at a later stage.
A Derby City Council spokesperson said:
We’re really excited to be announcing these new bus services which will help to keep residents in the Allestree, Darley and Spondon wards connected to essential amenities.
Many within these communities have felt the effects of cuts to privately operated bus services so we’re delighted to be working with Derbyshire Community Transport to restore some of these routes which provide a lifeline to residents who rely on public transport.
Liz Ensouf, Managing Director, Derbyshire Community Transport said:
We are delighted to be working in partnership with Derby City Council to restore these vital links from Allestree and Darley Abbey to Park Farm, Shopping Centre, as well as locally in Spondon. We’re confident that these community services will assist many people living in these areas to access the amenities and facilities that they require.
The services will not connect directly to the city centre but will provide residents who rely on public transport with a way of accessing amenities within their local communities.
The Allestree service will offer two routes, providing links to Park Farm from Allestree and Darley Abbey, partially replacing some of the service previously delivered by the 17a.
In Spondon, the two routes will provide a link from the edge of the village to the village centre, partially replacing some of the service previously delivered by the Spondon Flyer.
The trial was developed in response to the Government’s Bus back better: national bus strategy, introduced post pandemic to enhance the bus network and provide a better bus service across England.
A review of the trials will take place once the services are fully operational to decide whether to extend the trial for a further three months.
Both service timetables are available to download – Allestree (PF1 and PF2) and Spondon (SP1 and SP2). The services will stop at existing bus stops along the routes, as well as operating a hail and ride service in parts of the route where there are no existing bus stops.
For further information about accessibility and service availability, please contact Derbyshire Community Transport by emailing contact@derbyshirect.org or phoning 01773 746652.