A BUS company has struck a deal with not-for-profit financial service to offer members a payment plan designed to make travelling easier to afford.

The partnership between Brighton and Hove Buses and East Sussex Credit Union means members who use the bus every day can get an annual pass with a 10 per cent discount and spread payment over a year.

Brighton & Hove Buses Managing Director Martin Harris said: “We want bus travel to be available to everyone so we’re really pleased to partner up with the East Sussex Credit Union so we can genuinely make bus travel the cheapest it can be for as many people as possible.

“We want to help increase people’s opportunities in the city and their prosperity and we want to get people out of their cars and on to the bus.

“We very much see ourselves as part of the community and as a responsible employer will do our best to help make bus travel possible for everyone.”

Ann Hickey, CEO of East Sussex Credit Union said: “We believe that bus travel is at the heart of Brighton and Hove’s community and many of our members rely heavily upon it.

“Our partnership with Brighton & Hove Buses really helps our members as they get a brilliant discount of 10 per cent on annual bus tickets plus we can offer loans that mean the cost is spread throughout the year.

“Anyone living or working in East Sussex or Brighton and Hove can join us and they can benefit from a great bus service, at a discounted rate, with a payment plan that suits their pockets.”

The company said the deal can save travellers hundreds of pounds.

One of their members – who moved to the annual affordable payment plan from weekly City Saver tickets just over a year ago – saved in excess of £270 that first year and more than £280 on her current pass.

Her loan repayments are lower than her previous outlay on weekly tickets so the deal has allowed her to make savings immediately and decrease her outgoings at the same time.

The annual pass applies to a Network saver or a City Saver - travel within Brighton and Hove and beyond.

To qualify for the deal join the East Sussex Credit Union and order a key card from the bus company.

To create an account with the Credit Union visit their website at eastsussexcu.org.uk. To order a key card online go to buses.co.uk

All the bus company offer tickets – regardless of whether they are an M-ticket, on a key card or a scratch off – are uniquely free to use on services provided by bus operators The Big Lemon and Compass Travel as well.

lBrighton and Hove Buses is promoting its community deals this week to mark national Catch the Bus Week.

Other community deals include a carers’ discount, a free travel 4 Work scheme for new recruits, free travel for people doing training to find work, and a range of discounts for families and children.

The deals are designed to make buses more accessible to everyone. To find out more go to: buses.co.uk/page.shtml?pageid=1572