A bigger and better bus service in Derby's on its way after Arriva upgrades the network

There will be better connections, increased frequencies and improved service coverage from April 19, 2025.

The changes are designed to make bus travel even more convenient and accessible for customers.

Toby France, head of commercial for Arriva Midlands at Arriva, said: “These changes reflect our ongoing commitment to enhancing the bus network in Derby and making public transport a more convenient, affordable, and sustainable choice for local residents.

“Our team in Derby is dedicated to delivering excellent service to the community, with our Ascot Drive depot awarded Top National Bus Depot at the UK Bus Awards in November 2024 in recognition of our team’s commitment to putting our customers first.

“By increasing frequencies on our most popular routes and expanding our bus network we’re making it easier for people in and around Derby to leave their cars behind and switch to the bus – helping to reduce congestion, improve air quality, and create a greener, more sustainable future."

Key improvements include:

5/5A/5S Derby to Littleover:
Working closely with Derby City Council, Arriva is increasing the frequency of this service as part of the Council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan. Routes 5 and 5A will now run every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday, with an hourly service on Sundays. Additionally, the Sunday service 5S is replaced by an improved hourly frequency on routes 5, 5A, and 6.
38 Derby to Sinfin:
Arriva is increasing the frequency of this popular route, with buses now running up to every 10 minutes. On school day mornings, some journeys will be numbered 38S and run directly from Osmaston Road and St Thomas Road to the City of Derby Academy in Sinfin – making it even easier to get to school.
20/21 Derby to Chaddesden and Spondon:
Our existing route 20 and new route 21 will together give a bus every 30 minutes from the City Centre to Reginald Road and Roosevelt Avenue before continuing on to Spondon ASDA, introducing a new shopping link from Chaddesden Park.
From there, buses will extend every hour through either Sandringham Drive and Sancroft Road (route 20) or Arnhem Terrace and Willowcroft Road (route 21) to Spondon village centre, re-connecting these areas with local shops and the Derwent Valley Medical Practice.

The extension of routes 20 and 21 to Spondon are one of a number of enhancements to bus services being introduced by Arriva and other bus operators in partnership with Derby City Council through its Bus Service Improvement Plan, and follows extensive dialogue over the past six months between Arriva and Spondon’s ward Councillors.

Other bus routes enhanced from the same date are:

2/2A Derby to Melbourne and Swadlincote or Chellaston:
Service 2 will now run via Bateman Street and Derby Rail Station, offering better connections for onward travel from Swadlincote, Melbourne, and Chellaston. Service 2A will continue to call at The Spot for shoppers in Derby city centre.
6/7 Derby to Sunnyhill and Sinfin:
The popular 6 service will now run every hour on Sundays, replacing service 5S. Combined with the 7 service, passengers will now enjoy a bus every 30 minutes between the City Centre, Sunnyhill, and Sinfin on Sundays.
26 Derby to Oakwood:
Service 26 will now run every 30 minutes, giving a coordinated 15-minute frequency with services 20 and 21 between Chaddesden Cemetery and the city centre. Buses will now run in a clockwise loop through Oakwood, going straight over at Wayfaring Road shops, past the Leisure Centre, and around Springwood Drive, Smalley Drive, Saundersfoot Way, Bishops Drive, and Danebridge Crescent.

For more information on these changes, visit A bigger and better Derby bus network | Arriva Bus UK