UPDATE 14.09.2022
We are writing to inform you of changes to a number of bus services in East Sussex. These are mainly to Stagecoach’s commercial routes serving the Hastings and Eastbourne areas, where they need to contain ongoing and significant financial losses. Bus use has not recovered above around 80% of the pre-Covid level and like all bus operators, they are struggling with massive operating cost increases too.
Government bus support and recovery funding to bus operators and local transport authorities has been available in various forms since the start of the pandemic. We understand Government funding support will continue until January 2023, then in a revised form possibly to April 2023. The level of funding support will not be sufficient for Stagecoach and some other operators to maintain services.
There are significant changes to many bus routes. Following action being taken by East Sussex County Council nearly all communities will continue to be served. Though there will be a number of areas with reduced service frequencies, particularly daytime. There are also instances of service improvements. Details of the specific changes are attached. Updates will be provided on East Sussex County Council’s website. Colleagues whose parishes are located further from Eastbourne and Hastings, particularly those to the north-west of Wealden District, will note there are fewer changes in their areas.
These issues outlined above are being faced by bus users, operators and local transport authorities across the country. Although East Sussex is expected to receive significant funding from Government for its Bus Service Improvement Plan, it is not permitted to use this funding to simply replace services withdrawn by bus operators. The Bus Service Improvement Plan funding will also only be available to April 2025, so any new or improved bus services supported through it are expected to be financially sustainable by this date.
East Sussex County Council, as well as securing indicative funding from Government for its Bus Service Improvement Plan, is providing its own additional support to help maintain as much of the bus network as possible. We are continuing to pay bus operators at pre-Covid funding levels for carrying free concessionary pass users. This is because use of buses by older people has significantly reduced. We also launched, in conjunction with the majority of bus operators, a number of attractive new lower fares initiatives designed to encourage greater user of buses. These include up to four free young people being able to travel free with an adult fare paying passenger or concessionary pass holder. See the East Sussex County Council website for more information. New lower fares on East Sussex bus services | East Sussex County Council
Yours faithfully
Neil Maguire
Senior Technical Officer
Transport Hub
Team: 01273 335080
Team email: passenger.transport@eastsussex.gov.uk
eastsussex.gov.uk
Bus Services - 231 and 31
Timetable - 231 Uckfield - Heathfield - Burwash - Etchingham
Timetable - 31 Uckfield - Maresfield - Newick - North Chailey - Haywards Heath - Cuckfield