“Bus driver - OK, so if we accept that it can take up to seven minutes to serve the bus station due to roadworks, why is only an issue for The Mickleover? The roadworks on the Morledge and Wardwick are temporary. Why are big decisions being considered during such a period of upheaval? I can only call them as I see them and I am yet to catch a Mickleover where more people board in town than they do at the bus station and I do do every day at peak times, whereas you say you do not drive the route regularly. Please do not take my angst as being aimed at the drivers - they most certainly are not. I consider the drivers on The Mickleover to be the most polite and cheerful of all I experience and I do use a fair few services during my work. The Arriva drivers are not helped by bieng behind a perspex screen for the most part. My father regularly visits us after connecting at the bus station and frequently remarks that we have the best service, drivers and buses in Derby. And I couldn't agree with you more about pedestrians who pay little notice to what is approaching before meandering across the road or waiting until the 'red man' symbol appears at crossings before sauntering across the road as slowly as possible with a snear. Keep up the good work. It is appreciated, and we are aware that many drivers are opposed to the move.”

“John (not the one below), Derby. I cannot disagree with most of your comments although i find your opening paragraph rather padantic, bar one. Trust me, It does and can take 7minutes, sometimes longer to wiggle your way through the bus station and all the road works going on namely the Morledge and Wardwick and people trying to cross who think it's their god given right to walk out in front of a bus and when you have 8 minutes at times to get to the city hospital it isn't easy. But as am not a regular driver of this service I can be excused from giving my personal suggestions of improvement.

The other john, derby. No one says you HAVE to buy a day saver or a return ticket. But remember the buses are a business and as such have to charge. Plus am sure the number of OAP gold cards out there are not helping prices and the cost of running the services, have heard only get 50 something pence per OAP ticket issued. Whether it's the service to Manchester or round the corner.

About the Mickleover though. Most of the passengers I've picked up, have not been at the Bus station but at the Square and Vic Street am not saying i don't pick up any at the bus station simply stating more passengers at the next two stops. I don't know how that fits into any of the arguements.

The drivers try their damn best to run the services to the best of their ability. It isn't nice when you get it in the neck by everybody when you are late through no fault of your own and it seems like an apology is useless because most times after given one, one scoffs and walks off. We do what we can. Suggestions are good if its usable feedback. But when its stuff like am sure Arriva can do it better, it doesn't help no one and i find it rather pathetic.”

“I - and where did you catch that bus?”

“Dear Guffy, I live in Littleover - I can walk to the new hospital - i am a pensioner. Do you believe all pensioners live 2 bus changes away?”

“I wouldn't advice anyone to catch Villager as thats so unreliable at the minute,what am i talking about the villager has always been unreliable”

“Fancy moving a superhospital to a residential area !!! All these issues caused by a bunch of muppets making stupid decisions. Derby City Council are embarassing. All those poor pensioners having to catch 2 buses...ridiculous full stop.”

“On this occasion, Rob, my tongue was nowhere near my cheek. As a Mickleover passenger, I value being able to change buses for Nottingham, Burton, Manchester etc, at the Bus Station rather than walking across from Osnabruck Square.
The every 7 minutes came about when the old bus station was closed. It was always going to be difficult to maintain once a new one opened. I read in the bus trade press that every 10 minutes is the "holy grail" at which passengers don't bother with the timetable; every 7 minutes is largely regarded as over-ambitious in any circumstance.
I believe that most reasonable people would settle for a bus that turned up on time every 10 minutes.
Trent Barton could achieve that, serve the Bus Station and also keep everyone happy who wanted to board and alight elsewhere.
As i say, apart from the obvious need to serve the hospital properly, it would be good to also accommodate those who simply want to interchange at the bus station.”

“I would have thought it would have been better if a photo of a non moving bus had been printed, how about one of the Transpeak buses, there's usually one at the side of the road broken down somewhere”

“It would perhaps be beneficial to have a dedicated bus to the Royal Hospital running from the bus station leaving the Mickleover to depart from Osnabrook Square . The service was more on time when it did . Also the Villager service can be used . Anton Rippons comments can also be tongue in cheek”

“A dedicated bus to the Royal Derby Hospital would help as nearly half of passengers on the Mickleover get off there sometimes .This could run from the bus station leaving the Mickleover to start from Osnabrook Square . It was more on time when it did . Also pasengers can also use the Villager . Also Antons Rippons comments can be a bit tongue in cheek”