Derbyshire Connect Shopping Buses Take To The Road

New bus services funded by Derbyshire County Council have taken to the road – and they're free for Gold Card holders.

Derbyshire Connect 'shopping' buses went into service on Monday 2 October. They replace the Dial-a-Bus (DAB) services previously run on behalf of the council by the county's six community transport groups.

The new Derbyshire Connect minibus services will initially operate in the same way as the old-style DAB services. They will run door-to-door picking up passengers from home and taking them to an agreed destination – such as local shops, the bank, post office, chemist or supermarket.

Every community in Derbyshire will have the opportunity for the weekly shopping trip.

Gold Card holders can travel free-of-charge after 9.30am – previously they paid a £3 flat rate return fare.

Councillor Trevor Ainsworth, Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Support Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure, said: "These new Derbyshire Connect buses will continue to provide essential journeys to local shops and supermarkets. We recognise that they are vital for people who are unable to use conventional bus services because of mobility difficulties or because they live in areas where public transport is limited which is why we are committed to continue their funding."

Councillor Ainsworth added: "We know from feedback that Gold Card is a highly thought of scheme and I am pleased to announce that fares have been scrapped on this service for cardholders and they will now be able to make their shopping journeys free-of-charge."

Derbyshire Connect shopping buses are being run by Ashbourne Community Transport in the south and west of the county and Community Transport for Town and County (CT4TC) in the north and east.

New Health Appointment Service Also Starts

The re-named Derbyshire Connect Active Travel services also start at the same time to take people to healthcare-related appointments.

They take people by car, rather than minibus, to medical appointments and are being run by various organisations on behalf of the council.

South Derbyshire Community Volunteers Service, based in Swadlincote, is providing journeys to medical appointments in South Derbyshire and in the south of the Derbyshire Dales.

Ashbourne Community Transport, Erewash Community Transport, based in Ilkeston, and Community Transport Swadlincote are running services to healthcare appointments in Amber Valley and Erewash.

And Carry Care − a specialist healthcare transport provider based in Eckington - is putting on Active Travel services in Bolsover, Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire.

Bakewell and Eyam Community Transport, based in Bakewell, The Bureau − Glossop's voluntary and community network - New Mills Volunteer Centre and Voluntary and Community Services Peaks and Dales, based in Ashbourne and Buxton, are taking passengers to medical appointments in the High Peak and north Derbyshire Dales.

The scheme, which is currently known as aCTive Travel, is a paid for service. Users will continue to pay for the service, but fees may vary from those currently charged. Gold Cards cannot be used.

For more information and details on how to book www.derbyshire.gov.uk/derbyshireconnect