Mini Switzerland in the Peak District is a community-led project to create a simpler, more connected public transport system for the Hope Valley. Led by Hope Valley Climate Action (HVCA) and developed with transport partners and local authorities, the project is a national demonstrator for how rural public transport in Britain could work: reliable, integrated, easy to use, and designed around the way people actually travel.
The project will deliver:
- Regular bus services built around an easy-to-understand “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
Progress to date
Over 12 months, the project team, made up predominantly of volunteers, worked with a Transport Consultant to develop and publish a detailed project report and brochure setting out the Mini Switzerland concept and how it could work in the Hope Valley. The proposals gained significant local and national interest and were presented to the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).
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 from the networks we already fund.”
Roger Clarke, Trustee of 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.”
Next steps
In early April 2026 the Department for Transport announced £6 million in national funding to support the delivery of the Hope Valley demonstrator project, with additional funding to be provided by EMCCA through its Transport for City Regions settlement. Led by Mayor Claire Ward, EMCCA will oversee delivery of the project in partnership with local stakeholders, operators and community organisations.
The project will focus on improving coordination across the existing transport network rather than relying on major new infrastructure. Plans include buses timed to connect with trains, integrated ticketing across operators, clearer passenger information, service improvements and targeted infrastructure upgrades to support a more joined-up public transport system.
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.
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.
Find out more – click image to read
Stay in touch
Be the first to receive news on this project and other travel news in the Hope Valley by signing up to our monthly HVCA newsletter, and select ‘Travel’ as one of your interests.
HVCA Newsletter sign up here.
Funding from the Foundation for Integrated Transport (FIT), enabled the HVCA Project Team to create a detailed plan for dependable, connected public transport in rural areas based on the best ideas from across Europe, especially Switzerland, whose rural transport system is a global benchmark.
