Concern that hourly Derby bus service will lose more passengers and be axed

Fears that two Derby bus services could disappear after they started running less frequently have been expressed by regular users. Passengers on the 5 and 5A Arriva bus services out to Littleover and back to Derby city centre say that the originally the services ran every 30 minutes but have only run hourly since August.

Ann Eames, who uses the service frequently, says that historically the services ran on shorter routes at 20 minute intervals. She said: "A few years ago, these routes were abandoned after Arriva said costs were too high but were reinstated after public pressure but running a much extended route. This was then extended to half-hourly.

"The current hourly service limits the use of the bus for meetings and appointments and if there are delays, then it would be too much to wait for another bus and there aren't may shelters in which to sit and wait. I suspect that this means another reduction in passengers and could lead to removing the service.

Mrs Eames is hoping that Derby City Council, which has a policy of reducing car usage, will support better bus services. She added: "I, like many others, am a pensioner. I do not have a car. Am I expected to embrace cycling in my ninth decade? I do walk when I can.

"On a more positive note, I appreciate Arriva moving the two bus services' bus stop from Osmaston Road to St Peter's Street, which is more convenient for the Post Office and Derbion centre."

Another regular user, who did not wish to be named, added: "If the buses are running late r have been missed out for some reason, then I am not prepared to wait outdoors for an hour for another one to come along."

More changes on the two services are scheduled for this Saturday (November 2) according to Arriva's website, which says: "We'll be changing the morning timetable on 5 & 5A Derby to Littleover, particularly to better meet the needs of workers at Royal Derby Hospital. These changes are being made following customer feedback."

A Derby City Council spokesman said: "We understand that bus services are incredibly important. Derby City Council does not have control over timetables or routes as it is a commercial decision by the operator (Arriva) based on passenger numbers and costs.

“We work with bus companies to get the best services for residents and we have improved bus services for residents by providing 150 new stops and shelters over the past three years, with around half having real time information, using government grant funding from the Transforming Cities Fund."

An Arriva spokesperson said: "Our 5/5A bus service runs as a commercially operated route, independent of any contract, franchise, or concession and does not receive funding from the Local Transport Authority.

"Following shifts in travel patterns post-pandemic, the previous 30-minute service frequency proved financially unsustainable, with the gap between revenue and operating costs widening each year.

"To address these financial challenges and ensure the service could continue, we adjusted the route and timetable in September. This allowed us to reinvest resources to enhance service to Sunny Hill, where demand is highest, while still providing a reduced-frequency service to Littleover and Blagreaves to keep these communities connected.

"We have received and responded directly to the reader whose letter was quoted by the Telegraph."