City routes to get £7m bus boost

Officials described the deal as part of a "transport vision"

New buses worth £7m will be brought into Derby after the city council agreed a deal with operator Arriva.

A total of 59 vehicles will be introduced from October this year for services in Chaddesden, Mackworth, Sinfin and Chellaston.

The council has agreed to install electronic information signs along some of the routes.

The deal, which will replace a third of the current fleet in the city, will be officially signed on 26 March.

The first 23 buses will be low floor single-decker models for Chaddesden and Oakwood, then a further eight new low-floor "midibuses" for Mackworth and Littleover.

Congestion challenge

In February next year, 17 low-floor double-decker buses will be brought in for Sinfin and Mackworth and 11 low-floor single-decker buses for Chellaston.

Councillor Ranjit Banwait, Council Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation, said: "Our city passengers deserve the latest buses with ease of accessibility, friendliness to the environment and a comfortable journey around Derby.

"The next priority I have set myself is to make sure that our city passengers can get from A to B as quickly as possible with minimal congestion.

"This investment is an important piece of our transport vision, which will continue to come together over the next few years, piece by piece."