So you’ve heard about the change to University of Derby bus fares? This is a change that has been introduced to support the environmental sustainability of the university.
From 1st August 2025, a single journey on the unibus will be £2 at peak times, with discounts offered if you are travelling off-peak, and termly/annual passes are also available. For more information on the fares visit the public transport pages on the university website.
We know that many of you have concerns about the university’s decision to introduce charges for the Uni bus service. As a Union we have been actively involved in the consultation process, including attending consultation meetings and offering the opportunity for students to share their feedback in focus groups.
With the recent announcement being communicated to students, we understand the frustrations and concerns you've raised. We wanted to let you know that your concerns about affordability, accessibility, and sustainability, have been passed along to the university and we will continue to work alongside them to monitor the impact of these changes and advocate for improvements.
With the change, we hope to see an increase in students choosing active travel over bus rides, opting to walk or cycle the short distance between campuses, which are all within 30 minutes' walk of the halls of residence in the city centre.
We hope that students take reassurance in knowing that the income from the bus fares will be used to improve the services and combat the overcrowding issues by introducing improved frequency and routes.
If you wish to be kept up to date on bus news, or are interested in starting campaign on this issue, please complete our online form. You can also give feedback on the ideas forum.
If you're facing challenges or simply need someone to talk to, whether it's about your wellbeing, studies, or anything else, the Union Advice team, along with the Student Services at the University of Derby, are here to help. You're not alone, and support is always available whenever you need it.