Government backs ‘Mini Switzerland’ as national demonstrator to transform rural public transport

Mini Switzerland Project Team
PRESS RELEASE
2 April 2026

Government backs ‘Mini Switzerland’ as national demonstrator to transform rural public transport

 The Department for Transport has announced that £6 million in national funding will be allocated to delivering ‘Mini Switzerland’ – a bold national transport project that will demonstrate how integrated, affordable rural public transport can be achieved – with further funding to be provided by East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) from its Transport for City Regions settlement.

 EMCCA, led by Mayor Claire Ward, will deliver the project, which will bring ‘Swiss-style’ integration one step closer to the Peak District. Under the plans, buses will be timed to connect with trains, tickets will work across all modes of travel, and the whole system will operate as one joined-up network.

 The funding announcement is a landmark moment for the project, which has been championed by local communities in the Hope Valley and developed by transport professionals and volunteers working alongside Hope Valley Climate Action and has received support from national and regional Government, operators and consumer groups.

 Unlike many transport schemes, Mini Switzerland does not depend on new railways or large-scale construction. Instead, it delivers transformation through better coordination: enhanced services, modest infrastructure improvements, clear information and simple integrated ticketing.

Mini Switzerland is community-led, fast-moving, and designed to be affordable – a model which proves impactful transport change doesn’t have to take decades or cost a fortune. 

 The project will deliver:

• Regular bus services developed around a ‘clock face’ timetable
• Guaranteed connections between buses and trains
• Simpler tickets that work across bus and rail operators
• Better access to jobs, education and healthcare
• A realistic alternative to driving for visitors to the Peak District

 The Department for Transport will provide £6 million of funding to deliver the Hope Valley demonstrator, with further support from EMCCA from its Transport for City Regions fund. Passengers could begin to see the first meaningful improvements delivered by the project before the end of 2026.

 If successful, the demonstrator will provide real-world evidence on how integrated networks grow ridership, improve value for money and reduce car dependency in rural areas, providing a tested, evidence-based model that other areas across the country can adopt.

 Thomas Ableman, Founder of Freewheeling and creator of the Mini Switzerland concept, said: “For years we’ve been stuck in a cycle where rural public transport costs more and delivers less. Mini Switzerland shows there’s another way. By properly integrating buses and trains, we can unlock far more value.

 This announcement is a recognition of the leadership shown by Mayor Claire Ward in immediately grasping the potential of Mini Switzerland, and of national Government in supporting the vision. It’s a great example of the potential for collaboration between grass roots community groups, regional Government and national Government to drive true innovation.”

 Roger Clarke, Trustee at Hope Valley Climate Action, said: “For people in the Hope Valley, this is about being able to get to work, to school, to shops and to healthcare without always needing a car. It’s also about managing visitor traffic in a way that protects our villages and landscape.

 “We’re proud that our community can help lead a project that could shape the future of rural transport across the country, and we’re delighted that the Government and EMCCA have recognised what’s possible when communities, transport operators and public bodies work together with a shared ambition.”

 What happens next

 The project will now move forward with delivery, maintaining the community-led, agile approach that has defined Mini Switzerland from the start. The region is committed to proving that this model can serve as the template for rural transport transformation and project delivery across the UK.

The Hope Valley demonstrator is designed as a five-year learning project to generate evidence on integrated rural transport networks and their impact on ridership, costs and travel behaviour. If successful, the model will be available for other rural areas across the country to adopt and adapt.

 Notes to Editors

 Mini Switzerland is a volunteer and community-led project, developed by Hope Valley Climate Action alongside transport professionals and organisations across the UK, with funding support from the Foundation for Integrated Transport.

 The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), led by Mayor Claire Ward, will be the accountable body for delivery of the demonstrator.

 The Hope Valley has been chosen as the demonstrator location because it reflects many of the challenges faced by rural Britain: scattered villages, busy visitor destinations, existing but poorly connected bus and rail services, and high levels of car use.

 The Hope Valley railway line connects Manchester and Sheffield – two cities in which approximately one third of households have no access to a car. These residents will now have direct, easy access to the green spaces of the Peak District National Park.

 Mini Switzerland follows a proven model: demonstrate success in one place, then scale the learning. A decade ago, the Mini Holland programme in London showed how Dutch-style cycling infrastructure could work on British city streets. Mini Switzerland aims to do the same for integrated rural public transport.

The full Mini Switzerland report is available to download here.
The East Midlands Mayor Combined County Authority statement can be found here.
The Department of Transport statement can be found here.

Media Contacts

 Matt Harrison (for media enquiries related to Mini Switzerland)

+44 (0) 77249 00017 |  matt@transportdesigned.com 

 Thomas Ableman, Freewheeling

+44 (0) 7969 060007  |  Thomas@freewheeling.info

Roger Clarke, Hope Valley Climate Action

+44 (0) 7943 845745  |  rogerclarke@hopevalleyclimateaction.org.uk