Derbyshire County Council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) allocation will part-fund a Peak Sightseer open-top service in the Peak District that is to be operated by Stagecoach Yorkshire.
It will run daily from 1 July to 30 September, then at weekends only until 24 December. Destinations including Chatsworth House, Bakewell and the Monsal Trail will be served, with journeys also running from and to Chesterfield railway station at the beginning and end of the operating day.
BSIP money is going towards the Peak Sightseer “following high demand from the public for better bus connections through the Peak District,” says Stagecoach Yorkshire.
The Derbyshire BSIP also advocated park-and-ride provision in the Peak District – including potential seasonal ‘pocket’ locations – upon its publication in 2021. At that time, the Peak District National Park offered what Chief Executive Sarah Fowler described as “full support” for the measures outlined in the BSIP.
Under-Secretary of State for Transport Richard Holden adds that supporting the Peak Sightseer service “is great for local residents and tourists, who will now enjoy an even better way to take in some of the most breath-taking views the Peak District has to offer.”
All-day Peak Sightseer tickets will be available, including for groups, that capture the Chesterfield journeys. Promotional material published by Stagecoach Yorkshire has details of other operators’ provision that interchanges with the service. The £2 single fare cap will not be available on Peak Sightseer and nor will concessionary free passes be accepted.
Buses to be used on the service are currently being repainted into the green and yellow livery chosen.
