Bus travellers between Derby and Nottingham are being offered a cheaper ticket to attend top summer attractions in each city.

The new Metro ticket will provide a £1 saving on any trentbarton route for people going to selected events marks the formal launch of the Metro Strategy, strengthening co-operation between the two cities.

The strategy sets out a vision of what Derby and Nottingham City Councils want the area to look like by 2030:

  • Enterprise – promoting Derby and Nottingham world-wide, supporting businesses to innovate and find new markets
  • Talent – ensuring a suitably skilled workforce through education and training
  • Connectivity – improving accessibility through better transport links
  • City Living – supporting a modern urban lifestyle and vibrant city centres through leisure, culture and sport

The Derby-Nottingham Metro Strategy 2030 has been launched after consultation confirmed public support for it.  Three quarters of people agreed both cities would benefit from working together more closely.

Councillor Jon Collins, the Leader of Nottingham City Council, said: “The consultation clearly showed that the majority of people could see the benefits of the two cities working closely together. Our combined weight will enable us to strengthen our national presence and international reputation. This will be good for our cities, good for local people and good for the wider economy.”

The bus fare deal comes after citizens and businesses felt transport links would be one of the things most likely to be improved. Among the events where the £1 discount will apply for trentbarton journeys between the two cities are Derby Festé and Dinosaurs of China at Wollaton Hall in Nottingham.

See below for a full list of the qualifying events. Just show your event ticket to the driver, and ask for a Metro ticket to get your discount.

Jeff Counsell, Managing Director of trentbarton, said: “I support the vision of this strategy and what it sets out to achieve. We are a local business with a foot in both camps and we have a number of brands that connect the two cities; including red arrow, our fast comfy coach that runs every 10 mins.  So we are pleased to be able to show our support in this very practical way.”

In global terms, Derby and Nottingham are relatively small. But the combined urban area is one of the top 30 population centres in Europe and home to over one million people. More than 40,000 regularly commute between Derby and Nottingham.

Council Leader Ranjit Banwait said: “Creating a heavyweight profile will bring prosperity for our cities, citizens and economy way beyond our boundaries. Whilst there is much common ground and many opportunities to benefit, we’re committed to preserving the unique identities of both Derby and Nottingham.”

Closer working as a result of the Metro Strategy is already reaping rewards:

  • Securing strong support from the Department of International Trade for last year’s trade mission to China and the MIPIM international commercial property show, where Nottingham and Derby had a joint presence
  • Establishing a forum to put local businesses in a strong position to take advantage of the £250m Midlands Engine Investment Fund
  • Winning more than £13m of Government and EU funding through joint bids for projects covering business investment, travel and the environment

The two Councils have agreed to use joint working to be more efficient and reduce bureaucracy. This will enable both to become more resilient, to protect local services.

Councillor Jon Collins, the Leader of Nottingham City Council, said: “The consultation clearly showed that the majority of people could see the benefits of the two cities working closely together. Our combined weight will enable us to strengthen our national presence and international reputation. This will be good for our cities, good for local people and good for the wider economy.”

Following the strategy launch, a special advisory group is being set up to act as a sounding board for its future direction. It will be led by David Williams, Chairman of law firm Geldards, which has a presence in both cities.

Mr Williams said: “I have no hesitation in supporting this work, as it makes perfect sense for the two cities to come together. How effectively we work across organisations and sectors to get the most for local residents, employees and visitors will be a decisive factor in maintaining and growing our local prosperity and pride.”

The Metro offer with Trent Barton will be see discounted bus travel between Derby and Nottingham when people buy a ticket to any of the top ten summer events listed below. This saves £1 off a ticket purchased on any route served by Trent Barton buses.

Derby Comedy Festival – 5 – 14 May

Aegon Open International Men’s and Women’s Tennis, Nottingham  – 10 – 18 June

ICC Women’s World Cup Cricket, Derby  – 24 June – 19 July

Dinosaurs of China Exhibition, Nottingham – 1 July – 29 Oct

Derby CAMRA Summer Beer Festival – 5 – 9 July

Splendour Festival, Nottingham – 22 July

British Triathlon Mixed Relay Cup, Nottingham – 2 Sept

The Hannells Darley Park Concert, Derby – 3 Sept

Derby Feste – 29 – 30 Sept

Derby Folk Festival – 6 – 8 October

Robin Hood Pageant, Nottingham – End of October

For more information on any of the above events, visit www.visitderby.co.uk/whats-on

www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/whatson