The 55 Bus is Back – But at What Cost?

When 1,262 people signed the petition to reinstate the number 55 bus from Alfreton to Chesterfield, it felt like a victory — a community united, a service restored. On 4 April 2025, that hope seemed realised, with the return of the 55, now operated by Notts and Derby. Derbyshire County Council assured residents that the timetable and route would remain largely the same as the former Hulleys service, save for a few small changes.

But those "small" changes? They're having a devastating impact.

The new route bypasses Morton village entirely — cutting off a vital lifeline for Pilsley residents who need to reach Morton for work, school, or care. And more shockingly, the bus no longer goes to Chesterfield Royal Hospital. For those in Pilsley who work there or rely on it for treatment, this change is more than an inconvenience — it's a crisis.

Instead, residents are being told to use Derbyshire on Demand — a service that simply doesn't work for people with hospital appointments, where wait and treatment times are unpredictable and booking a return journey in advance is impossible.

And the blow doesn't stop there: the new service shuts down after 6pm. For late-shift workers in Chesterfield, it's a logistical nightmare. One local resident now walks two miles each way to North Wingfield just to catch a bus — every single day.

Yes, the new service is better than nothing — but for many, it's as if nothing has changed at all.

The fight isn't over. The 55 bus must fully serve the people who rely on it. This service is not just about convenience — it's about access, dignity, and daily survival.

Please sign the petition and help us bring back the full, functional, and fair 55 service our communities so desperately need.

https://chng.it/wYTCbB4sLL