How to get free travel to and from your Covid vaccination thanks to Derbyshire bus company

Bosses at Hulleys of Baslow say they have introduced the initiative to help make the process of getting vaccinated as straightforward as possible.

The firm’s ‘community-minded’ new scheme has been welcomed by residents who have hailed it as a ‘fantastic’ idea.

Managing director Alf Crofts said: “It's been nearly a year since the first lockdown, and all we want to do is to be able to get people moving again.

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"The idea of the vaccine is daunting for some so if by doing this we can make the process easier and quicker then we can all go back to normal that much sooner."

From Monday, January 25, Hulleys will be offering free bus travel to and from coronavirus vaccination appointments at Newholme Hospital, Bakewell, and Sharley Park Leisure Centre, Clay Cross.

The initiative will last throughout the vaccination programme and will be available to all residents, regardless of age.

A spokesperson for the company said: “When you get your appointment letter, go online and obtain your two appointment dates – instructions will be on the letter.

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"Write these dates on the letter. When you travel to your appointments simply show your letter to your driver.”

Services to the two vaccination sites include the 63, 170, 172, 173, 178 and 257.

These buses serve places including Matlock, North Wingfield, Tupton, Wingerworth and a host of villages in the Peak District and Hope Valley.

Welcoming the news on Facebook, Jan Hunter posted: “That is fantastic. I don't live in that catchment area but just wanted to thank your company for such a community-minded action doing it for people and not profit.”

Sarah Bell said: “Fantastic. Hopefully as someone said before, it will encourage more users of the local buses when things change for the better.

"We need to support our local public transport as much as we can.”

Staff at Wingerworth Surgery also thanked the company and said the initiative would be an ‘amazing help for some of our patients’.

For more information and timetables, visit the Hulleys of Baslow website.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.