Bus travel to be cheaper in East Sussex after funding boost

The extra money will help reduce bus fares around East Sussex in a bid to increase passenger numbers.

The measure forms part of East Sussex County Council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).

However, with confirmation of the government funding not expected until later this year, a decision was made to find alternative cash.

Councillor Claire Dowling, lead member for transport and environment, approved the use of funds from the Concessionary Fare Reimbursement budget, which was not spent due to the pre-Covid year-on-year reduction in concessionary pass use in the county.

“We know that implementing the fare reduction proposals set out in our BSIP are likely to have a very significant impact on passenger numbers if done so during the busier summer months,” she said.

“With confirmation of government funding not expected until later this year, we did not want to miss this opportunity and I am delighted that we have been able to find the money to take action now.

“By encouraging an increase in bus passengers, operators will be in a much stronger position to continue running the services in East Sussex that our residents rely upon.”

The council has worked with bus operators to introduce a range of discounts for passengers including a new £5 East Sussex single operator day ticket, family and group travel tickets and an off-peak unaccompanied young person £1 flat single fare ticket.

Lower fares are currently available from Brighton and Hove Buses, Metrobus, Compass Travel and Stagecoach. Other operators will be introducing these offers.

More information about the fare reductions can be found on the East Sussex County Council website.