New Operator Secured for Derbyshire County Bus Services

The continuation of two Derbyshire bus services has been secured following the impending cessation of operations by their current transport charity provider. Derbyshire Community Transport (DCT) is scheduled to discontinue its operation of Derbyshire County Council’s shopper bus services and on-demand bookable bus services this Thursday. These services, which serve areas such as Chesterfield, Bolsover, and North East Derbyshire, will transition to being operated by Community Transport for Nottingham (CT4N) starting Monday. Additionally, two other council bus services, specifically the 147 and 148, previously managed by the charity, will also be taken over by a different transport company. DCT was responsible for operating the council’s shopper bus service across Chesterfield, Bolsover, North East Derbyshire, Erewash, and Amber Valley. Furthermore, it managed the trial Travel Derbyshire On Demand bookable bus service throughout Chesterfield, Bolsover, and North East Derbyshire. The authority confirmed that these services “will run exactly as they are now,” and the existing booking application for the on-demand service will be retained. Charlotte Cupit, the county council’s cabinet member for highways assets and transport, stated: “We know these services are a lifeline for many communities in the county, so we’ve been working hard to secure their continuation.” The authority further indicated that it has now identified operators to assume responsibility for all services previously run by DCT on its behalf, with the objective to “make the transfer of these services as streamlined as possible.” Barry Allitt, managing director of CT4N, commented: “It is always upsetting when an operator such as Derbyshire Community Transport takes the step to cease trading. “CT4N will now commence working with the team who are currently operating the services so that all of the familiar and friendly drivers can continue working with CT4N into the future.””