The last scheduled 102 bus left Parwich on Friday 31 March.
The New Bus
The service has been replaced by Derbyshire Connect, an on demand bus requested by phone or email. Derbyshire Connect for some weeks has shadowed the 102 but is now the only regular service, At £2 single, £3.80 return, the fares are the same, and bus passes are recognised from 9.30am.
The service is already well used.
What is new is that the service can be used over a wide geographical area, roughly Ashbourne, Wirksworth, Onecote to the West and Hartington/ Newhaven and Ible to the North.
.Derbyshire Connect will run along the principles of a ‘Demand-Responsive-Transport (DRT) service − the first of its kind in Derbyshire.
This means it can be more flexible than conventional ‘turn up and go’ services. These generally have the same start and end destinations with fixed, timetabled stops along the way.
Journeys on Derbyshire Connect will need to be booked between a week and up to two hours before the time of travel. But because journeys are pre-booked, routes can be planned to cater to individual passengers’ needs meaning many more pick up and drop off points can be offered on different days of the week.
Bookings can be made by calling 01335 342951 or by email at bookings@derbyshireconnect.org.uk
Derbyshire Connect is initially being run as a trial for up to a year. It will be operated by Ashbourne Community Transport and serve villages north of Ashbourne and to the east as far as Wirksworth.
It will run 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 6pm, Saturday. There is no Sunday service.
Any kind of passenger will be eligible to use Derbyshire Connect for any type of journey, including current users of conventional bus services, community transport users, young people, older people, visitors and groups. It may also be used for non-emergency patient transport.
After the initial free travel period fares will be £2 adult single, £3.80 return, £1.20 child single, £2.40 return.
Gold Card holders will travel free-of-charge after 9.30am weekdays and anytime Saturdays. b_line2 cardholders will get 25% discount off adult fares and primary school pupils will pay the appropriate fare or travel free as an entitled student.
This is a six month experiment so do use the service to retain it. Importantly, do tell your neighbours who may not use the Internet.
Again ,thanks to the parish council who worked so hard to ensure a bus service remained a lifeline for our community, something recognised by Derbyshire County Council officers.
Map and more details here:
https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/images/Derbyshire%20Connect%20DL_tcm44-288592.PDF
By Richard T
PARWICH.ORG 