Welcome to Travel Corner
We’re excited to introduce Travel Corner, a new monthly feature in our Travel Bulletin. Each month, we’ll share the story of a local journey made by sustainable means, whether that’s by bus, train, bike or on foot. To kick things off, Emily from Bamford tells us what it’s like to go car-free and get around with her three-year-old daughter using the 257 bus.
Could you tell me a bit about yourself?
I moved to the Hope Valley at primary school age and since then have lived here, except for 1 year working in east anglia. Now based in Bamford, I know the valley well! I was a ranger for the Peak National Park but now am a full time mum whereby I play music, grow food, help run groups for kids, explore and watch nature with my daughter and try to act as I would want my daughter to.
How often do you use public transport?
It varies but usually between 2-4 times a week, sometimes more, sometimes less. Certainly more since our car was scrapped and we have tentatively started living without one..
Could you tell me about a recent journey you made in the Hope Valley?
There are so many, as it is our main way of travel. Bamford – Bakewell is a regular one, on the 257 bus, myself and my daughter.
Why did you make this journey?
To go to the library, to the park, swimming, to the charity shops.
Why did you use public transport?
Other than borrowing a car it’s our only option at the moment but I would have often taken the bus anyway even though it takes 50mins!! (It is a shame there isn’t a bus that goes straight on the Hassop road to Bakewell). It is actually easier to travel with my daughter by bus as she, I quote, “hates car days”, so despite the travel time we are sat together, we chat, we look at things, we cuddle and she is happy. In the car she cries or complains the whole time which makes it challenging to concentrate and stressful (as I’m sure many a parent can relate to!)
The cost of the trains puts me off using them on a day-to-day basis. The buses seem more reasonable now with the capped prices, though I understand it can seem and feel expensive. We tried to roughly calculate running a car vs the costs of using public transport for similar journeys, with all things considered and for our lifestyle. For us, it was cheaper to use public transport on the whole.
How did you plan your journey? (How easy was it to find the information? What was the source of information?)
I know the bus times now as we use them so regularly but otherwise I could look at the times at the bus stop or online, which is very easy. It would be nice to have a bus times leaflet though for even easier review.
Tell me about the journey. (How easy was it? What problems, if any?)
The bus was on time (as the 257 so often is now; Andrews took the route over, I’d say a 95% success rate at being on time or within a few mins), we do wish for the newer buses as the older ones can be a little noisy and rattly, though a car is noisy too. The new buses are warm and comfortable. Only problem is the length of journey to Bakewell but my 3 year old can manage it.
What were the highlights of the journey?
It’s relaxing to be driven and to relax my eyes. It’s sociable, we often make friends on the bus, which can often be a dog too, the best highlights are usually seeing the long-horn cows at Baslow. The driver once let us stop at Eyam and Baslow toilets so my daughter could go to the toilet and have even stopped so I can to pour out the potty..pretty hilarious but a big worry for going on a bus with a child out of nappies (worry not on the 257!).
What tips would you have for others who might want to use public transport?
Just give it a go, it can often be much more sociable, fun and relaxing than driving. I understand it is not so convenient and sometimes we all need to use a car (us included, I can borrow my mum’s hathersage). Though there are other benefits for public transport use, including ease and excitement with a child, better for your health walking to stops and getting fresh air, a way to appreciate the local scenery and seeing it as part of your day out if you have the time to do so. It is of course a better use of fuel and so seems to me better for our world. The buses and trains around here are really more reliable than you may think (especially that 257..) so please use them or we will probably lose them.
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Got a journey to share? If you’d like to feature in our next travel corner, we’d love to hear from you! Whether it’s a regular journey or a one-off journey by train, bus, bike or foot. Any sustainable mode is welcome! To show your interest, please contact emilygait@hopevalleyclimateaction.org.uk.
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