If it makes
you smile,
it’s a trip worth taking.
Are you aged 66 or over? Don't forget your Gold Card is a great way to get out more without spending anything.
Your Gold Card gives you free local bus travel across the county, so it’s the perfect way to see more of the people and places you love. And to make it even easier, we’ve gathered some helpful tips and inspiration to help you get out there.
Did you know?
You can use your Gold Card for free travel on any bus between 9.30am and 11pm on weekdays and at any time at weekends or bank holidays.
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Connect with a friend
Meeting up with friends and family is a great way to put a smile on your face. Why not try one of our tips?
- Finding a local hobby or activity group can provide a regular social activity while you do something you enjoy. There are loads of options out there, check out the Derbyshire directory to find your next hobby.
- Is there a new café or restaurant opening up that you’ve been meaning to try? It’s a great excuse to invite someone along to try it out.
- Look online for 2 for 1 vouchers, or keep an eye open for deals and offers. It’s another good excuse to reach out and meet up with a friend.
Discover Derbyshire
Derbyshire has so much to offer, so even if you’ve lived here your whole life there’s always something new to experience:
- Spending time in nature is a great way to feel invigorated. Derbyshire has plenty of green spaces to stroll through, from the Peak District to your local park.
- Our county is packed with historic sites, stately homes and areas of interest to explore.
- Your local bus is a great way to explore Derbyshire’s towns for a spot of shopping, a drink in a cosy café or a place to meet friends.
No cost & low cost
Getting out doesn’t need to be expensive. Along with your free bus travel, there are plenty of free or affordable things to do in Derbyshire:
- Going for a walk somewhere new is great for your physical and mental health and costs nothing.
- Finding volunteering opportunities is a great way to be more social and give something back to the community.
- Derbyshire has plenty of museums, libraries and other spaces you can meet up in for free.
Getting the bus
Travelling by bus with your Gold Card is simple. Our quick guide will help you plan your journey and get the most out of your local bus service.
Find your route
Head to traveline.info and enter your postcode and where you want to go. This will show you which bus you can get, what time to catch it, and where your nearest bus stops are. It will even include the estimated walk time at each end, so you’ll know the full journey time.
Enjoy the ride
When your bus approaches, hold out your arm so the driver knows to stop for you.
Take your seat and make the most of someone else doing the driving. Tick some items off your to-do list, or just relax - the choice is yours.
As you approach your destination, ring the bell so the driver knows you want to get off, then you can stay in your seat until the bus stops moving.
The Gold Card
A Gold Card allows you to travel for free on local buses in Derbyshire between 9:30am - 11pm on weekdays and at any time during weekends and bank holidays.
In addition to this Gold Card holders can travel for free anytime on Derbyshire Connect dial a bus ‘shopping’ buses.
As well as being used as a free transport card at certain times, you can use a Gold Card as a library card, just hand it to a member of library staff to register your details.
To apply for a Gold Card you must meet certain criteria, please click here to find out more.
About us
We’re Travel Derbyshire, the partnership coordinating bus travel across our county, made up of bus operators, Derbyshire County Council and other key stakeholders. We work together to improve bus travel and make it easier to get around our region.
A £47 million programme of improvements to bus infrastructure, services and tickets has been underway since 2022, thanks to UK Government funding won by Derbyshire County Council.
If you need customer support in relation to a specific bus service, please contact the company that operates it directly. Click on their logo to find out how to contact them.
