A partnership between train operators, the local council, and a local bus company has enabled a bus service between Chesterfield and Bakewell to be extended to facilitate easier leisure travel to the Peak District.

The extended service will, for the first time, operate directly from Chesterfield station to the Peak District seven days a week, all year round. It is being funded by Derbyshire County Council’s £ 47 million Bus Service Improvement Plan fund and was officially launched last Friday, 21st July, and is supported by Lee Rowley, MP for North East Derbyshire.

The partnership consists of train operators CrossCountry and East Midlands Railway, Derbyshire County Council, and bus operator Hulleys of Baslow which has extended its 170/A bus service between Chesterfield and Bakewell.

To encourage more leisure travel to the Peak District directly from Chesterfield station, the bus operator is offering a 25% discount on bus fares for passengers with valid rail tickets. This is part of a wider initiative to improve connectivity between different modes of transport throughout the UK’s rail network.

Elsewhere in Derbyshire, Derbyshire County Council, CrossCountry, and local bus operators have also collaborated to strengthen intermodal connectivity with new digital signage installed at Belper bus station. An interactive ‘totem’ allows visitors to find travel information about the town and details of local days out, and a similar ‘totem’ will be installed outside Willington railway station later this year.

More details about the new 170/A bus route between Chesterfield and Bakewell are available at https://www.hulleys-of-baslow.co.uk/.

Ben Simkin, Regional Director at CrossCountry, commented: “Working together with Derbyshire County Council, East Midlands Railway, and other organisations, we’re pleased we’ve been able to bring the new, extended bus service to Chesterfield station, improving public transport connectivity on one of our key routes.

“The new bus link – which will run seven days a week, all year round – allows us to help both local people and visitors on their journeys to the Peak District National Park in a smooth and sustainable way, directly from the national rail network.”

Councillor Charlotte Cupit, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Assets and Transport, added: “It’s great to see improvements to our public transport network that allow passengers to easily visit new places and enjoy everything that Derbyshire has to offer.

“The Peak District is a major tourist destination so making it simpler for visitors and locals to reach it in time for Summer is fantastic. Sustainable and connected transport options are a main priority for us, and it’s a pleasure to be able to fund projects to this end.”

Lee Rowley, MP for North East Derbyshire, said: “The news that the 170/A bus service from Chesterfield to Bakewell is fantastic news for our region. We all want to see better connectivity across our county and this extension helps to link those local bus services with the national rail services in Chesterfield.

“We’re lucky in Derbyshire to have the beautiful Peak District right on our doorstep and this extension will help drive more visitors to this as well as other attractions, boosting business in our county. I would like to thank CrossCountry, EMR, Hulleys and Derbyshire County Council for helping to make this extension a reality.”

Neil Grabham, Customer Services Director at East Midlands Railway, concluded: “We are pleased to work together with our local partners to help our customers better access the beauty of the Peak District in an environmentally friendly way.”

“The new bus links introduction has been perfectly timed for the start of the busy summer holiday period – providing a great option for families who want to explore the national park.”