Mayor working to protect services following closure of bus operator CT4N
The Mayor of the East Midlands is working with partners and bus operators following the closure of CT4N, which has affected several bus services across Nottingham, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
The closure of CT4N is sad news for the region, resulting in job losses and uncertainty for employees and their families. It has also understandably caused concern for passengers who rely on these services to get to work, school, appointments and other essential destinations.
As the Local Transport Authority for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is working to minimise disruption for passengers and secure replacement services wherever possible. Some affected routes have already been taken on by alternative bus operators, while work continues to find solutions for the remaining services.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “Losing a local bus service is life-changing, and we have taken seriously the impact that the collapse of CT4N has had.
“Some services have already been replaced by other operators, and we are working at pace with them and other local partners to explore every available option to further minimise disruption and keep communities connected wherever possible.
“I appreciate that for people employed by CT4N in this region, this will be a difficult time, and we will be happy to support people who have lost their jobs by signposting them into EMCCA’s relevant employment and skills programmes.
“EMCCA will provide updates as soon as further arrangements can be confirmed.”
Affected services:
Derbyshire
- Service 29 Long Eaton to Sandiacre via New Sawley;
- Derbyshire Connect shopping bus eastern area;
- Travel Derbyshire Demand Responsive Transport.
Nottingham
- Easylink;
- Service 19 to Sherwood via Mapperley and Arnold;
- Service 20 Nottingham City Centre to Wollaton Estates via Queens Medical Centre;
- Service L2 Nottingham City Centre to Assarts Farm via Queens Medical Centre, Glaisdale Parkway and Nottingham Business Park;
- Service L4 Nottingham City Centre to Ainsley Estate, Beechdale and Strelley;
- Service L14 Nottingham City Centre to Bulwell via City Hospital and Basford.
Nottinghamshire
- Service 18, 18a,18b and 18x Nottingham City Centre to Stapleford and Wollaton via Beeston and Bramcote – Nottingham City Transport (NCT) has now stepped in to continue this service, Click here for more details;
- Service 66 Sutton Bonington to Loughborough;
- Service 300 Lowdham to Newark via Southwell;
- Service 510 Beeston to Stapleford via Toton and Attenborough;
- Service 511 Stapleford Shopper service.
Passengers who have prebooked journeys after today on the Easylink, Derbyshire Connect Shopping Bus and Travel Derbyshire Demand Responsive Transport services need to appreciate these journeys will not take place.
Alternative bus operators
Some affected services have already been replaced by alternative bus operators, including the Number 18 service. NCT has stepped in to replace their 18 service between Nottingham, QMC, Beeston Rylands, Beeston, Bramcote and Stapleford from Monday 17 August 2026. An hourly service on the core 18 route will operate for the first two weeks, with the full 18, 18A, 18B and 18X timetable commencing on Tuesday 1 September 2026. Click here for more details on this service.
David Conway, NCT head of operations, said: “We are sorry to hear about the closure of CT4N, who have provided important community links for many years. We look forward to welcoming customers on the 18 to the NCT network from Monday, ensuring there is no gap in service on this core route, and expanding it to provide the full 18 group of services at the start of September.”
EMCCA will continue to work to secure arrangements for the remaining routes as quickly as possible. Updates on new bus operators will be announced as soon as possible.
This is a difficult time for CT4N employees affected by the closure. Support is available through employment and skills programmes – click here to find out more about redundancy support and advice.