September signals a change in the air, and this year it seems that autumn has decided to gatecrash the end of summer early, with browning leaves, fruit on the ground and grey skies overhead from the start of the month.

Some things are staying the same though, and its good news for bus users as fares in Derbyshire have been kept lower for key groups until the end of March next year.

The Derbyshire Enhanced Partnership, a collaboration between Derbyshire County Council and bus operators to improve bus services, agreed recently to extend some of their ticketing initiatives:

  • £1.50 single fares for Under 19’s
  • Employee Discount Travel Scheme
  • Derbyshire Wayfarer Bus Tickets Subsidy

Something to benefit all age groups, whether you’re working, retired or in full-time education. Let’s explore these schemes in more detail. (You can read about what’s happening in the world of the Wayfarer here)

Under 19’s Travel

£1.50 single fares for b_line1 for 11-year-olds (in secondary school) up to their 16th birthday and b_line2 for 16-year-olds up to 19th birthday cardholders started on 1st November 2023.

The £1.50 b_line scheme for up to 18-year-olds has been one of the big successes of the BSIP programme alongside the expansion of services.  The first year saw an increase of 75% of cardholders plus an increase of over 200% year on year in journeys.

If your child doesn’t already have a b_line card there is still plenty of time to get one. More information about the scheme can be found here.

The Employee Discount Travel Scheme

Whilst also being extended to 31 March 2026, the scheme has also now been extended to businesses based at East Midlands Airport and East Midlands Gateway.

Workers at East Midlands Airport could claim cheaper fares.

Employees can benefit from discounts on bus tickets of up to 20%.  The five biggest bus companies in Derbyshire, Arriva, Diamond Bus, High Peak Buses, Stagecoach and trentbarton, all offer tickets under the scheme.

Full details of how to benefit are available on the Travel Derbyshire Employee Discount page, or you can contact our bus champions on the following email address. bus.champions@derbyshire.gov.uk