Enjoy cheaper, simpler journeys across Derbyshire this summer

From Chesterfield to Glossop and Matlock to Swadlincote, getting around Derbyshire is becoming easier on the wallet and simpler to plan.

Two great-value options, both with the aim of providing affordable, flexible travel, are helping residents cut costs on everyday travel while opening up more of the county without the car.

With rising costs affecting many households, these tickets help reduce the burden and encourage more people to choose public transport.

Big savings for young riders

If you’re under 19, the b_line card unlocks single bus fares for just £1.50 on participating services right across the county. It’s a straightforward way to keep costs down for school runs, college commutes, weekend jobs or meeting friends.

Crucially, it supports independence: young people can get to where they need to be without the barrier of high fares. It’s ideal for shorter hops between villages and towns, and a real help for regular trips that quickly add up.

Even better, there are more discounts for young riders under 16. Travel in August will be free on participating operators, thanks to a new national scheme. EMCCA is working with operators through the Travel Derbyshire partnership on how this will be delivered with more details to be announced soon.

Unlimited freedom

The Derbyshire Wayfarer is built for regular travellers who want freedom across routes and operators. It offers unlimited travel on most bus services across a wide area for a day or a week, removing the need to juggle separate tickets when plans change.

The weekly bus ticket is £25 for an adult, giving predictable costs for commuting, shopping and days out. For journeys that mix bus and rail, the Derbyshire Wayfarer Ranger one-day option extends that flexibility across both modes, making cross-county trips simpler and better value.

It’s ideal for flexible work patterns, mixed bus routes, and anyone who likes to keep their options open. Weekenders can make a day of it too: stroll the Monsal Trail, sample Bakewell treats, and catch a bus home without worrying about extra fares.

Together, these tickets put choice back in passengers’ hands. Whether you’re commuting during the week or exploring at the weekend, you can move around the county with fewer barriers and more certainty about what you’ll spend.

Easy app access

Access is as important as price, and Derbyshire Wayfarer tickets, including the Ranger bus-and-train version, are available via the TravelMaster app.

Making tickets more accessible with a ticket machine in your pocket, it is a fantastic way to ensure more people can get hold of these value-for-money multi-operator tickets, which can also work across bus and train.

No queuing, no fumbling for change, and no missing the bus while you sort a paper ticket. Just buy in the app, activate when you’re day ticket ready, and show your phone to the driver or load your weekly ticket to your smartcard from the comfort of your living room.

More than just savings

By making public transport more attractive, they help ease congestion on local roads, reduce emissions, and better connect communities.

Whether you’re a key worker, a student, a carer or a weekend walker, cheaper, simpler tickets make it easier to choose the bus or train, and that benefits everyone.

Since February, responsibility for public transport has moved from Derbyshire County Council to East Midlands Mayoral Combined Authority, creating an opportunity to align timetables, simplify ticketing and strengthen links across the region.

Mayor of the East Midlands Claire Ward said: “Derbyshire Wayfarer and b_line are helping people travel more affordably across Derbyshire. As Mayor, I want to build on successful schemes like these to create a more connected East Midlands, with simpler, more accessible and better value public transport for everyone.”

Visit Travel Derbyshire to find out more or apply.