Agenda Item No.7
Committee: Cabinet Committee
Date: 2 August 2000
Title of Report: Passenger Transport Budget
Plans: Not applicable
By: Director of Transport and Environment
District: All
Purpose of Report: To consider proposals to achieve budget savings by withdrawing supported local bus services and taking other action which will have the effect of increasing bus fares and reducing bus service levels.
RECOMMENDATIONS
To secure budget savings by:
1. Authorising the Director of Transport and Environment to negotiate the withdrawal of the supported local bus services identified in Appendix A.
2. Taking no action to secure the evening and Saturday only services which have been included in the Review of Supported Local Bus Services in the Lewes and South Wealden Area.
3. Responding to the commercial service changes announced by Stagecoach South Coast Buses by taking the action proposed in Appendix A.
4. Authorising the Director of Transport and Environment to review fare levels on supported local bus services, subject to no individual adult single fare increasing by more than 10 pence or 10 per cent, whichever is the higher.
Supporting Information
1. On 6 June 2000, the Cabinet Committee considered a report on the 2000/2001 Revenue Budget for Passenger Transport. This identified the need to achieve savings to stay within the original budget set by the County Council. A further report was made to the Cabinet Committee on 4 July, which explained that proposals had been received from Stagecoach South Coast Buses to make significant changes to some of their commercial services.
2. This report sets out proposals to achieve some of the required savings. The necessary action falls into the following categories:-
(i) The withdrawal of supported services which are failing to achieve their required revenue targets. These are generally “low priority” services, operating on Sundays or in the evenings. However, two daytime services have also been identified – serving routes where there are no alternative daytime services available for some passengers.
(ii) The withdrawal of evening services currently provided with funding from the Government’s Rural Bus Subsidy Grant. These services are performing badly against targets and expectations, and it is considered necessary to divert the available grant to a more effective purpose, including the provision of new rural services which are included in the North Wealden County Rider project.
(iii) Not awarding new contracts for “low priority” services which have been included in the Review of Supported Services in the Lewes and South Wealden Area. These services currently operate under contracts which come to an end in September. The low priority services are those which run in the evenings, or on Saturdays only.
(iv) Limiting the action to fill gaps created by the withdrawal of commercial services to the very minimum necessary to maintain a basic level of service in the affected communities.
3. The “low priority” services have been identified with reference to the County Council’s established policy which gives varying degrees of priority to different types of service. Services are ranked in the following order of priority:-
(i) Well used Monday to Friday peak period services;
(ii) Monday to Friday daytime off-peak services;
(iii) Saturday daytime services;
(iv) Evening services;
(v) Sunday services;
(vi) Summer only services.
4. In considering routes for withdrawal, school services and peak services have been protected, despite the comparatively high costs of securing such routes. It is also considered necessary to retain services operating within the scope of the County Rider project, including a number of flexible dial-a-ride services. These routes play an important part in achieving effective co-ordination of transport provision on behalf of Education and Social Services, and they also contribute to the Social Inclusion targets set out in the County Council’s Best Value Performance Plan.
5. Details of the services which are recommended for withdrawal are set out in Parts Appendix A (Groups One, Two, Three and Four). As requested by the Cabinet Committee at the meeting on 6 June, members of the County Council are being consulted on the detailed proposals. Comments received will be reported at the meeting.
6. The savings likely to accrue from withdrawing the under-performing services amount to £148,300 in a full year. Further savings of £182,400 in a full year would follow from the withdrawal of evening services currently funded from Rural Bus Subsidy Grant. In total, the identified savings are valued at £330,700 pa. £63,000 of the RSBG funds are required to support the introduction of new rural services as part of the new North Wealden County Rider project. This leaves a net annual saving of £267,700 arising from the proposals in Appendix A.
7. The report to the Cabinet Committee on 6 June outlined proposals aimed at achieving a total net saving of £208,000 pa from service reductions. The detailed proposals now put forward are £59,700 more than would be required to achieve that target. However, the Cabinet Committee will also need to take into account the outcome of the recent re-tendering of the network of supported services in the Lewes and South Wealden area.
8. The report to the June meeting expressed a hope to achieve a full year saving of £132,000 from the Lewes and South Wealden Review. Work to analyse the tenders received is still in progress, and an up-date will be given at the meeting. However, it is already clear that the hoped for saving will not be achieved. The £59,700 identified in the previous paragraph will therefore be required as a contribution towards the £132,000 sought from the Area Review.
9. The first indication from the analysis of the tenders received is that there has been a substantial increase in tender prices, particularly as far as the provision of school transport services is concerned. This is not wholly unexpected. However, it puts further pressure on the budget and makes it imperative that action is taken to address the serious financial position in which the County Council finds itself. At this stage, it is proposed that consideration be given to not awarding contracts for the “low priority” evening and Saturday services which are listed in Groups Five and Six in Appendix A. Other proposals for savings will be worked up in time for the meeting.
10. It is also necessary to limit any action which might be taken in response to the unexpected changes which are being made to commercial services. Details of the Stagecoach South Coast Buses changes (most of which come into effect at the end of July) are set out in the second half of Appendix A. The Cabinet Committee is recommended to support the decision to take no action in relation to most of the Stagecoach service changes, and to support the proposals outlined in those cases where some action is considered necessary.
11. At the meeting on 6 June, it was also recommended that fare levels on supported local bus services were reviewed. The proposal was to increase fares by up to 10 per cent (or 10 pence, in the case of the lower adult single fares which currently apply). The Cabinet Committee deferred consideration of this recommendation. The need for this action remains, and it is therefore proposed that approval now be given for these fares increases. The aim is to achieve a revenue increase of between £40,000 and £45,000 in a full year.
BOB WILKINS Director of Transport and Environment 2 August, 2000 CABINET:C2AugustPassengerTransportBudget
BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS
Contact Officer: Ed Bassford - Ext. 2326 Assistant Director: Duncan Jordan - Ext. 2207 Local Member: N/A
Cabinet Committee APPENDIX A 2 August 2000
PASSENGER TRANSPORT BUDGET
This Appendix sets out in detail the local bus services where action is proposed to address the Passenger Transport budget shortfall.
The Appendix is in five parts:-
· A summary of the proposals to achieve budget savings;
· Full details of the individual services which are proposed for withdrawal;
· A schedule of local bus services supported by Rural Bus Subsidy Grant where withdrawal is proposed, to release funds to provide new rural services;
· Details of “low priority” services included in the Review of Supported Local Bus Services in the Lewes and South Wealden area;
· A schedule of changes to commercial bus services operated by Stagecoach South Coast Buses, identifying the action considered necessary.
A more detailed consultation document has been circulated.
EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL Transport and Environment
SUMMARY OF PROPOSALS TO BE CONSIDERED TO ACHIEVE PASSENGER TRANSPORT BUDGET SAVINGS
Supported Local Bus Services to be Considered for Withdrawal
Group One Sunday Services which are not achieving Revenue Targets
Contract Operator Service Times Route Details
2390 South Coast 26/26A Sun Circular services:- Conquest Hospital Buses evenings – Park View – Hastings Town Centre – St Leonards – Conquest Hospital
Group Two Evening Services which are not achieving Revenue Targets
Contract Operator Service Times Route Details
2479 Arriva 252 Mon - Sat Tunbridge Wells – Frant – (Kent & Sussex) evenings Rotherfield – Mayfield – Heathfield
2336 South Coast 216 Mon - Sat Pevensey Bay – Bridgemere – Buses evenings Eastbourne
7227 Arriva 229 Friday Tunbridge Wells – Crowborough – (Kent & Sussex) evenings Tunbridge Wells
2391 South Coast 27/27A Mon - Sat Circular services:- Conquest Hospital Buses evenings – Park View – Hastings Town Centre – St Leonards – Conquest Hospital
7164 Arriva 229 Saturday Tunbridge Wells – Crowborough – (Kent & Sussex) evenings Tunbridge Wells
2425 Arriva 4/5 Mon - Sat Hawkhurst – Robertsbridge – Battle (Kent & Sussex) Evenings – Hastings
SUMMARY OF PROPOSALS TO BE CONSIDERED TO ACHIEVE PASSENGER TRANSPORT BUDGET SAVINGS (continued)
Supported Local Bus Services to be Considered for Withdrawal (continued)
Group Three Daytime Services which are not achieving Revenue Targets
Contract Operator Service Times Route Details
2342 Autopoint 201 Wed & Cade Street – Punnetts Town – Coaches Fri Rushlake Green – Cowbeech – New daytime Road – Hailsham
2438 Autopoint 319 Tue & Bexhill – Little Common – Hooe – Coaches Thur Whydown – Sidley – Bexhill daytime
SUMMARY OF PROPOSALS TO BE CONSIDERED TO ACHIEVE PASSENGER TRANSPORT BUDGET SAVINGS (continued)
Supported Local Bus Services funded by Rural Bus Subsidy Grant to be Considered for Withdrawal in order to Release Funds to Provide New Rural Services
Group Four Evening Services where Revenue is less than 10 per cent of Costs
Contract Operator Service Times Route Details
2465 RDH Services 166 Mon - Fri Lewes – Plumpton – Plumpton Green evenings – Wivelsfield Green – Haywards Heath
2469 Metrobus 121 Mon - Fri Lewes – Cooksbridge – Chailey – South Coast evenings Newick – Barcombe – Lewes
123 Mon - Fri Lewes – Kingston – Rodmell – evenings Southease – Piddinghoe – Newhaven
127 Mon - Fri Lewes town services (Landport and evenings Malling Estates)
2466 Coastal Coaches 300 Mon - Sat Northiam – Beckley – Peasmarsh – evenings Playden – Rye
325 Mon - Sat Rye town service and Rye – Rye evenings Harbour
344 Mon - Sat Rye – Rye Harbour – Winchelsea evenings Beach – Fairlight – Ore – Hastings
400 Mon - Sat Northiam – Broad Oak – Brede – evenings Westfield – Conquest Hospital – Hastings
711 Mon - Sat Camber – Rye – Winchelsea – evenings Icklesham – Guestling – Ore – Hastings
2450 South Coast 218 Mon - Sat Heathfield – Horam – Hailsham – Buses evenings Polegate – Farmlands Way – Lower Willingdon – Eastbourne
SUMMARY OF PROPOSALS TO BE CONSIDERED TO ACHIEVE PASSENGER TRANSPORT BUDGET SAVINGS (continued)
“Low Priority” Services included in the Review of Supported Local Bus Services in the Lewes and South Wealden Area
Group Five Evening Services
Contract Operator Service Times Route Details
2501/ Contract not yet 128/129 Mon to Lewes – Ringmer – Uckfield, via 2502 awarded Sat Halland/ Isfield (two options) evenings
2503/ Contract not yet 121/122 Mon to Lewes – Offham – Cooksbridge – 2504 awarded Fri Chailey – Newick – Spithurst – evenings Barcombe – Lewes (two options)
2505 Contract not yet 121/122 Fri Lewes – Offham – Cooksbridge – awarded evenings Chailey – Newick – Spithurst – Barcombe – Lewes
123 Fri Lewes – Kingston – Rodmell – evenings Southease – Piddinghoe – Newhaven
2517 Contract not yet 145 Mon to Newhaven (Gibbon Road) – Town Awarded Sat Centre – Denton – South Heighton – evenings Newhaven Town Centre
146 Mon to Newhaven Town Centre – Sat Peacehaven – Telscombe Cliffs – evenings North Peacehaven – Newhaven Town Centre – Gibbon Road
Group Six Saturday only Services
Contract Operator Service Times Route Details
2506 Contract not yet 125 Saturday Lewes – Glynde – Firle – Selmeston awarded daytime – Drusilla’s – Alfriston
138 Saturday Lewes – Ringmer – Laughton – daytime Lower Dicker – Hailsham
EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL Transport and Environment
SUPPORTED LOCAL BUS SERVICES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR WITHDRAWAL
Group One Sunday Services which are not achieving Revenue Targets
Contract 2390 Operated by Stagecoach South Coast Buses
Service 26/26A Circular Services:-
(26) Conquest Hospital – Hillside Road – Parkstone Road – Park View – St Helen’s Road - Hastings Town Centre – Hastings Station – Sea Front – Warrior Square – Pevensey Road – Upper Maze Hill – The Green – Sedlescombe Road South - Silverhill – Sedlescombe Road North – Harrow Lane – The Ridge - Conquest Hospital
(26A) Reverse of the above
Sunday evenings:- hourly service in each direction, between 1740 and 2340
Anticipated Saving:- £9,000 in a full year (Revenue covers 18.6 per cent of costs)
Group Two Evening Services which are not achieving Revenue Targets
Contract 2479 Operated by Arriva (Kent and Sussex)
Service 252 Tunbridge Wells – Frant – Mark Cross – Rotherfield – Mayfield – Five Ashes – Cross-in-Hand – Heathfield
Monday to Saturday evenings:- two return journeys, leaving Tunbridge Wells at 2100 and 2315, and Heathfield at 2002 and 2157
Anticipated Saving:- £34,000 in a full year (Revenue covers 4.6 per cent of costs)
SUPPORTED LOCAL BUS SERVICES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR WITHDRAWAL (continued)
Group Two Evening Services which are not achieving Revenue Targets (continued)
Contract 2336 Operated by Stagecoach South Coast Buses
Service 216 Beachlands – Pevensey Bay – Crumbles Centre - Bridgemere Estate – Eastbourne Town Centre
Monday to Saturday Evenings:- hourly service in each direction, between 1900 and 2300
Anticipated Saving:- £22,000 in a full year (Revenue covers 14.9 per cent of costs)
Contract 7227 Operated by Arriva (Kent and Sussex)
Service 229 Tunbridge Wells – Eridge – Crowborough Cross – Whitehill – Alderbrook – Jarvis Brook – Crowborough Hill – Crowborough Cross – Eridge - Tunbridge Wells
Friday evenings:- one journey, leaving Tunbridge Wells at 2310 and Jarvis Brook at 2355
Anticipated Saving:- £1,500 in a full year (Revenue covers 17.5 per cent of costs)
Contract 2391 Operated by Stagecoach South Coast Buses
Service 27/27A Circular Service:-
(27) Conquest Hospital - Hillside Road – Parkstone Road – Park View – St Helen’s Road - Hastings Town Centre – Hastings Station – Sea Front – Warrior Square – Pevensey Road – Upper Maze Hill – The Green – Sedlescombe Road South - Silverhill – Sedlescombe Road North – Harrow Lane – Little Ridge Avenue – Conquest Hospital
(27A) Reverse of the above
Monday to Saturday Evenings:- hourly service in each direction, between 1835 and 2335, plus one additional service 27A journey between Ashdown House and Hastings Town Centre, via Warrior Square, at 2012
Anticipated Saving:- £46,000 in a full year (Revenue covers 18.9 per cent of costs)
SUPPORTED LOCAL BUS SERVICES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR WITHDRAWAL (continued)
Group Two Evening Services which are not achieving Revenue Targets (continued)
Contract 7164 Operated by Arriva (Kent and Sussex)
Service 229 Tunbridge Wells – Eridge – Crowborough Cross – Whitehill – Alderbrook – Jarvis Brook – Crowborough Hill – Crowborough Cross – Eridge - Tunbridge Wells
Saturday evenings:- one journey, leaving Tunbridge Wells at 2310 and Jarvis Brook at 2355
Anticipated Saving:- £1,500 in a full year (Revenue covers 19.2 per cent of costs)
Contract 2425 Operated by Arriva (Kent and Sussex)
Service 4/5 Hawkhurst – Hurst Green – Robertsbridge – Mountfield – Whatlington (service 4) or Canadia (service 5) – Battle – Telham – Battle Road – Silverhill – London Road – Warrior Square – Seafront – Hastings Town Centre – Hastings Station
Monday to Saturday evenings:- journeys leaving Hawkhurst at 1920 and 2205; journeys leaving Hastings at 2040 and 2303
Anticipated saving:- £23,200 in a full year (Revenue covers 21.4 per cent of costs)
Group Three Daytime Services which are not achieving Revenue Targets
Contract 2342 Operated by Autopoint Coaches
Service 201 Cade Street – Punnetts Town – Three Cups Corner – Rushlake Green – Cowbeech – Amberstone – New Road – Park Road – Hawkswood Road - Battle Road – Hailsham
Wednesdays and Fridays only:- one morning return journey, leaving Cade Street at 0955 and Hailsham at 1255
Anticipated Saving:- £6,200 in a full year (Revenue covers 11.1 per cent of costs)
Note:- This is the only bus route serving Cowbeech and New Road
SUPPORTED LOCAL BUS SERVICES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR WITHDRAWAL (continued)
Group Three Daytime Services which are not achieving Revenue Targets (continued)
Contract 2438 Operated by Autopoint Coaches
Service 319 Bexhill Town Centre – Collington Avenue – Little Common – Hooe (Lamb) – Hooe (Red Lion) – Whydown – Sidley – Bexhill Town Centre
Tuesdays and Thursdays only:- one journey leaving Bexhill at 1030 and Hooe at 1052; one journey leaving Bexhill at 1305, running direct to Hooe, via Sidley and Whydown
Anticipated Saving:- £4,900 in a full year (Revenue covers 11.6 per cent of costs)
Note:- This is the only bus route serving Hooe (Red Lion) and Whydown
SUPPORTED LOCAL BUS SERVICES FUNDED BY RURAL BUS SUBSIDY GRANT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR WITHDRAWAL IN ORDER TO RELEASE FUNDS TO PROVIDE NEW RURAL SERVICES
Group Four Evening Services where Revenue is less than 10 per cent of Costs
Contract 2465 Operated by RDH Services
Service 166 Lewes Bus Station – Lewes Railway Station – High Street (Post Office) – Nevill Road – Offham – Plumpton – Plumpton Green – Wivelsfield Green – Wivelsfield (Ote Hall Chapel) – Fox Hill – Princess Royal Hospital – Haywards Heath Town Centre – Haywards Heath Railway Station
Monday to Friday evenings:- three return journeys in each direction, from 1815 to 2305
Funds Released:- £31,000 in a full year (Revenue covers 2.7 per cent of costs)
Contract 2469 Operated by Metrobus South Coast
Service 121 Lewes Railway Station – Lewes Bus Station – High Street – Nevill Road – Offham – Cooksbridge – South Chailey – Chailey Green – North Chailey – Newick – Spithurst – Barcombe Cross – Cooksbridge – Offham – Nevill Road – Lewes Bus Station – Lewes Railway Station
Monday to Friday evenings:- Two journeys, leaving Lewes at 2100 and 2300, and Newick at 2128 and 2328
Service 123 Lewes Bus Station – Lewes Railway Station – Southover High Street – Kingston – Iford (Signpost) – Rodmell – Southease – Piddinghoe (Main Road) – Newhaven Town Centre
Monday to Friday evenings:- two return journeys, leaving Lewes at 1958 and 2158, and Newhaven at 2032 and 2232
Service 127 Lewes Bus Station – Lewes Railway Station – Landport Estate – Lewes Bus Station – Lewes Railway Station – Malling Estate – Lewes Bus Station – Lewes Railway Station – Landport Estate – Lewes Bus Station
Monday to Friday evenings:- between 1855 and 1958, two journeys serving Landport and one journey serving Malling
Funds Released:- £29,000 in a full year (Revenue covers 3.0 per cent of costs)
SUPPORTED LOCAL BUS SERVICES FUNDED BY RURAL BUS SUBSIDY GRANT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR WITHDRAWAL IN ORDER TO RELEASE FUNDS TO PROVIDE NEW RURAL SERVICES (continued)
Group Four Evening Services where Revenue is less than 10 per cent of Costs (continued)
Contract 2466 Operated by Coastal Coaches
Service 300 Northiam – Beckley – Peasmarsh – Playden – Rye
Monday to Saturday evenings:- two return journeys, leaving Northiam at 1820 and 2035, and Rye at 1856 and 2110
Service 325 Rye Railway Station – Cadborough Cliff – Tilling Green – Rye Railway Station – Rye Harbour – Rye Railway Station
Monday to Saturday evenings:- one journey, serving Rye Railway Station at 2105 and 2115 and Rye Harbour at 2122
Service 344 Rye Railway Station – Rye Harbour – Winchelsea (Bridge End) – Winchelsea Beach – Pett Level – Fairlight Cove – Fairlight Glen – Ore – Old London Road – Hastings Old Town – Hastings Town Centre – Hastings Railway Station
Monday to Saturday evenings:- three journeys, leaving Rye at 1855 and Hastings at 2010 and 2300 (Rye Harbour served only on the first journey)
Service 400 Northiam – Broad Oak – Brede – Westfield – Westfield Lane – Conquest Hospital – Sedlescombe Road North – Silverhill – Bohemia Road – Hastings Railway Station
Monday to Saturday evenings:- two journeys from Northiam to Hastings, at 1917 and 2132; one journey from Hastings to Northiam, at 1950; one journey from Hastings to Westfield, at 2215; one journey from Westfield to Hastings at 2236
Service 711 (Camber) – Rye – Winchelsea – Icklesham – Guestling – Ore – Old London Road – Hastings Old Town – Hastings Town Centre – Hastings Railway Station
Monday to Saturday evenings:- one journey from Rye to Hastings at 2200; one journey from Hastings (2235) to Rye (2303) and Camber (2315); one journey from Camber to Rye at 2316
Funds Released:- £63,400 in a full year (Revenue covers 4.2 per cent of costs)
SUPPORTED LOCAL BUS SERVICES FUNDED BY RURAL BUS SUBSIDY GRANT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR WITHDRAWAL IN ORDER TO RELEASE FUNDS TO PROVIDE NEW RURAL SERVICES (continued)
Group Four Evening Services where Revenue is less than 10 per cent of Costs (continued)
Contract 2450 Operated by South Coast Buses
Service 218 Heathfield High Street – Vines Corner – Maynards Green – Horam – Grove Hill – Hellingly Hospital – Union Corner – Hawks Road – Hailsham Town Centre – South Road – A22 – Polegate High Street – Wannock Road – Farmlands Way – Coppice Avenue – Lower Willingdon – Willingdon Road – Upperton Road – Eastbourne Town Centre
Monday to Saturday evenings:- hourly service in each direction, between 1855 and 2355 (last journeys operate between Heathfield and Polegate only)
Funds Released:- £59,000 in a full year
“LOW PRIORITY” SERVICES INCLUDED IN THE REVIEW OF SUPPORTED LOCAL BUS SERVICES IN THE LEWES AND SOUTH WEALDEN AREA
Group Five Evening Services
Contract 2501 Contract not yet awarded This is an alternative to contract 2502
Service 128/129 Lewes Railway Station – Lewes Bus Station – Malling Hill – Ringmer – Uckfield (some journeys serve Broyle Estate, Isfield or Halland) – as per current timetable
Monday to Saturday evenings:- approximately hourly service, between 2000 and 0030
Saving if no contract £12,000 in a full year awarded:-
Contract 2502 Contract not yet awarded This is an alternative to contract 2501
Service 128/129 Lewes Railway Station – Lewes Bus Station – Malling Hill – Ringmer – Broyle Estate – Halland – Uckfield – Isfield – Malling Hill – Lewes Bus Station – Lewes Railway Station (one journey serves Ringmer after Isfield) – revised route and timetable compared with current service
Monday to Saturday evenings:- hourly service, between 2000 and 0030
Saving if no contract £12,000 in a full year awarded:-
“LOW PRIORITY” SERVICES INCLUDED IN THE REVIEW OF SUPPORTED LOCAL BUS SERVICES IN THE LEWES AND SOUTH WEALDEN AREA (continued)
Group Five Evening Services (continued)
Contract 2503 Contract not yet awarded This is an alternative to contract 2504
Service 121/122 Lewes Railway Station – Lewes Bus Station – High Street – Nevill Road – Offham – Cooksbridge – Barcombe Cross – Spithurst – Newick – North Chailey – Chailey Green – South Chailey – Cooksbridge – Offham – Nevill Road – High Street – Lewes Bus Station – Lewes Railway Station (service 122 operates as described; service 121 operates in the reverse direction)
Monday to Friday evenings:- two journeys from Lewes, at 1757 and 1857; two journeys from Newick, at 1832 and 1925 – similar to current timetable
Saving if no contract £14,500 in a full year awarded:-
Contract 2504 Contract not yet awarded This is an alternative to contract 2503
Service 121/122 (122) Lewes Railway Station – Lewes Bus Station – High Street – Nevill Road – Offham – Cooksbridge – Barcombe Cross – Spithurst – Newick
(121) Newick – North Chailey – Chailey Green – South Chailey – Cooksbridge – Offham – Nevill Road – High Street – Lewes Bus Station – Lewes Railway Station
Monday to Friday evenings:- one service 122 journey between Lewes and Newick, at 1757; one service 121 journey between Newick and Lewes, at 1832 – reduced level of service compared with current timetable
Saving if no contract £9,300 in a full year awarded:-
“LOW PRIORITY” SERVICES INCLUDED IN THE REVIEW OF SUPPORTED LOCAL BUS SERVICES IN THE LEWES AND SOUTH WEALDEN AREA (continued)
Group Five Evening Services (continued)
Contract 2505 Contract not yet awarded This is an alternative to contract 2469 (see Group Four, above), offering a Friday only service, in place of the current Monday to Friday evening services). The service is eligible for Rural Bus Subsidy Grant.
Service 121/122 (121) Lewes Railway Station – Lewes Bus Station – High Street – Nevill Road – Offham – Cooksbridge – South Chailey – Chailey Green – North Chailey – Newick
(122) Newick – Spithurst – Barcombe Cross – Cooksbridge – Offham – Nevill Road – High Street – Lewes Bus Station – Lewes Railway Station
Friday evenings:- two service 121 journeys between Lewes and Newick, at 2100 and 2300; two service 122 journey between Newick and Lewes, at 2128 and 2328 – reduced level of service compared with current Mon – Fri timetable
Service 123 Lewes Bus Station – Lewes Railway Station – Southover High Street – Kingston – Iford (Signpost) – Rodmell – Southease – Piddinghoe (Main Road) – Newhaven Town Centre
Friday evenings:- two return journeys, leaving Lewes at 2000 and 2200, and Newhaven at 2030 and 2230 – reduced level of service compared with current Mon – Fri timetable
Saving if no contract £5,400 in a full year awarded:-
“LOW PRIORITY” SERVICES INCLUDED IN THE REVIEW OF SUPPORTED LOCAL BUS SERVICES IN THE LEWES AND SOUTH WEALDEN AREA (continued)
Group Five Evening Services (continued)
Contract 2517 Contract not yet awarded This contract retains the current timetable.
Service 145 Newhaven, Gibbon Road – Town Centre – Sainsburys – Denton Corner – Denton, Seaview Road – South Heighton, St Leonard’s Road – Heighton Road – Iveagh Crescent – Avis Way – Newhaven Town Centre
Monday to Saturday evening:- hourly service, between 1915 and 2340
Service 146 Newhaven Town Centre – Brighton Road – South Coast Road – Telscombe Cliffs Way – Arundel Road – Ambleside Avenue – North Peacehaven, Telscombe Road – Pelham Rise – Roderick Avenue – Sutton Avenue – South Coast Road – Brighton Road – Newhaven Town Centre – Gibbon Road
Monday to Saturday evening:- hourly service, between 1940 and 2315
Saving if no contract £31,900 in a full year awarded:-
Group Six Saturday only Services
Contract 2506 Contract not yet awarded This contract retains a level of service similar to the current timetable
Service 125 Lewes Railway Station – Lewes Bus Station – Tesco – Beddingham – Glynde – Firle Village – Ripe Lane – Selmeston – Alciston Turning – Berwick Turning - Drusilla’s Roundabout – Alfriston
Saturdays:- Three return journeys, between 0800 and 1445, the first operating between Lewes and Ripe Lane only
Service 138 Lewes Bus Station – Tesco – Malling Hill – Ringmer – Laughton – Golden Cross – Lower Dicker – Horsebridge Mill – Hawkswood Road – Battle Road – Hailsham Town Centre
Saturdays:- Three return journeys, between 0845 and 1555
Saving if no contract £4,300 in a full year awarded:- ACTION PROPOSED IN RESPONSE TO COMMERCIAL BUS SERVICES CHANGES TO BE INTRODUCED ON 31 JULY 2000
Service to be Operated by Stagecoach South Coast Buses revised
Service 17/17A Circular Services:-
Eastbourne Town Centre – District General Hospital) – Hamlands – Farmlands Avenue – Polegate – Stone Cross – Langney – Seaside – Eastbourne Town Centre
Mondays to Saturdays:- half-hourly daytime service, with some additional journeys providing an extended service between Horsebridge Mill, Hailsham, Polegate and Eastbourne
Changes proposed Early morning and evening journeys serving Hailsham will be withdrawn. Alternative journeys will be provided by new services X1 and X2.
Journeys at school times will no longer divert from Farmlands Avenue to serve Willingdon School.
The schooldays only Service 17 journey, from Eastbourne Terminus Road at 1445 and serving Willingdon School at 1505, is withdrawn.
Action proposed by None the County Council
Service to be Operated by Stagecoach South Coast Buses withdrawn
Service 18/18A Eastbourne Town Centre – Seaside – Langney – Pennine Way – Hide Hollow – Westham (service 18) or Pevensey, (service 18A)
Mondays to Saturdays:- hourly daytime service
Changes proposed Service to be withdrawn, with effect from 20 August.
Note This service was introduced as a commercial operation by Stagecoach in May 2000, following the withdrawal of Eastbourne Buses’ routes 18 and 19. The company reports that revenue has not met expectations.
Action proposed by Ways to maintain links to Westham and Pevensey are being explored. the County Council
ACTION PROPOSED IN RESPONSE TO COMMERCIAL BUS SERVICES CHANGES TO BE INTRODUCED ON 31 JULY 2000 (continued)
New service to be Operated by Stagecoach South Coast Buses Introduced
Service 20 Brighton – University of Sussex – Lewes – Malling Estate – Ringmer – Laughton – Golden Cross – Lower Dicker – Horsebridge – Hailsham – Polegate (High Street) – Willingdon – Victoria Drive – Old Town – Eastbourne
Mondays to Saturdays:- hourly daytime service
Consequential This new service replaces one Service 28 journey per hour between changes Brighton and Lewes to maintain a 15 minute combined daytime frequency between the two towns.
Services 20 and 28 will coordinate to provide a 30 minute frequency between Brighton, Lewes Malling Estate and Ringmer. Service 27 journeys serving the Malling Estate are withdrawn.
Note Service 20 will provide new direct links between Brighton and Hailsham, and form part of an improved 10 minute daytime frequency between Hailsham and Eastbourne.
Eastbourne Buses’ service 20 (two journeys per day, Monday to Friday) will continue to operate between Eastbourne, Langney, Hailsham, Ringmer and Lewes.
Action proposed by As a consequence of the withdrawal of service 27 from the Malling the County Council Estate, the County Council can secure a diversion of Eastbourne Buses’ service 20 journey at 0845. Other Malling Estate journeys will be provided by the revised Stagecoach service 28.
ACTION PROPOSED IN RESPONSE TO COMMERCIAL BUS SERVICES CHANGES TO BE INTRODUCED ON 31 JULY 2000 (continued)
Service to be Operated by Stagecoach South Coast Buses withdrawn
Service 26 Seaford Town Service:- Town Centre – Claremont Road – Beacon Road – Kingsmead – Upper Belgrave Road – Lexden Drive – Barn Rise – Quarry Lane – Vale Road – Alfriston Road – Chyngton Estate – Eastbourne Road – Sutton Road – Town Centre
Mondays to Saturdays:- half-hourly, between 0830 and 1900, with an additional journey at 0732
Changes proposed Service to be withdrawn
Action proposed by Following discussions with several operators, Metrobus South Coast the County Council have agreed to operate the service until 30 September, without recourse to financial support. This arrangement will be reviewed when Metrobus have had experience of running the service. The replacement service will run five minutes earlier than present timings, to provide better train connections.
Service to be Operated by Stagecoach South Coast Buses revised
Service 27/27A Lewes Town Service:- Malling Estate – Lewes Bus Station – Railway Station – Landport Estate – Lewes Bus Station – Railway Station – High Street – Nevill Estate – Lewes Bus Station
Mondays to Saturdays:- half-hourly daytime service to Malling and Nevill, quarter-hourly service to Landport
Changes proposed Revised to provide three journeys per hour, serving Landport Estate, and two journeys per hour serving Nevill Estate.
Malling Estate will be no longer be served by service 27. However, services 20 and 28 will provide Malling with two journeys per hour and direct links to Ringmer, Lewes Bus Station, Lewes High Street and Brighton. Spences Lane will no longer be served, nor will there be direct links between Malling Estate and Lewes Railway Station.
Action proposed by None. However, the County Council has secured a diversion of the County Council Eastbourne Buses’ service 20 journey at 0845 to provide an additional journey for the Malling Estate. ACTION PROPOSED IN RESPONSE TO COMMERCIAL BUS SERVICES CHANGES TO BE INTRODUCED ON 31 JULY 2000 (continued)
Service to be Operated by Stagecoach South Coast Buses revised
Service 28 Brighton– University of Sussex – Lewes –– Ringmer – Broyle Estate – Shortgate – Halland – Palehouse Common – Uckfield (with connections at Uckfield with service 728, serving Framfield, Blackboys, Heathfield , Hailsham, Polegate and Eastbourne)
Mondays to Saturdays:- Four journeys per hour between Brighton and Lewes; hourly service between Lewes and Uckfield, via Ringmer.
Changes proposed Stagecoach service 28 journeys are revised to provide an hourly Monday to Saturday daytime service between Brighton and Uckfield. Passengers who previously travelled beyond Uckfield will need to catch service 729 and change at Uckfield Bus Station to connecting service 728. Additional Stagecoach service 20 and 28 journeys will continue to run every two hours between Brighton and Lewes to maintain a combined 15 minute frequency between the two towns.
Service 28 will also provide a new hourly evening service between Brighton, Lewes and Malling Estate.
Note Service 28 journeys operated by the Brighton & Hove Bus & Coach Company, between Brighton, Lewes and Ringmer (Broyle Estate) will be unchanged.
Action proposed by None. the County Council
ACTION PROPOSED IN RESPONSE TO COMMERCIAL BUS SERVICES CHANGES TO BE INTRODUCED ON 31 JULY 2000 (continued)
Service to be Operated by Stagecoach South Coast Buses revised
Service 98 Eastbourne – Willingdon – Farmlands Avenue – Polegate – Hailsham – Anglesey Avenue – Upper Horsebridge – Magham Down – Herstmonceux – Windmill Hill – Boreham Street – Ninfield – Sidley – London Road – Bexhill – Pebsham Estate – Hastings
Mondays to Saturdays:- hourly daytime service
Changes proposed Timetable revised by up to 15 minutes. Service 98 will form part of an improved 10 minute daytime frequency between Hailsham and Eastbourne.
Action proposed by None the County Council
Service to be Operated by Stagecoach South Coast Buses revised
Service 252 Heathfield – Cross-in-Hand – Five Ashes – Mayfield – Rotherfield – Mark Cross – Frant – Tunbridge Wells
Mondays to Saturdays:- hourly daytime service
Changes proposed Most departures to Tunbridge Wells will run 5 minutes earlier so as to minimise waiting time in Heathfield for passengers travelling through from Eastbourne, Polegate and Hailsham on service 752.
Note This service is supported by the County Council; the changes have the Council’s support.
ACTION PROPOSED IN RESPONSE TO COMMERCIAL BUS SERVICES CHANGES TO BE INTRODUCED ON 31 JULY 2000 (continued)
Service to be Operated by Stagecoach South Coast Buses revised
Service 728 Uckfield – Framfield – Blackboys – Cross-in-Hand – Heathfield – Maynards Green – Horam – Grove Hill or Hellingly (Village Hall) – Horsebridge –Hailsham – Polegate – Willingdon – District General Hospital – Eastbourne Town Centre
Mondays to Saturdays:- hourly daytime service. Most buses operate to or from Brighton, Lewes and Ringmer, as service 28.
Changes proposed Hourly daytime frequency maintained between Uckfield and Eastbourne, but with revised timings so as to fit in with the improved 10 minute combined daytime frequency of buses between Hailsham and Eastbourne. Only one peak return service 728 journey will run via Hellingly Village and Horsebridge Mill, though these places continue to be served by hourly Local Rider service 752. Grove Hill and Hellingly Hospital will gain an improved hourly service. Passengers who previously travelled beyond Uckfield will need to transfer at Uckfield Bus Station to service 729.
Action proposed by None the County Council
Service to be Operated by Stagecoach South Coast Buses revised
Service 752 Eastbourne Town Centre – The Avenue – Carew Road –District General Hospital– Willingdon – Polegate – Hailsham – Horsebridge – Hellingly (Village Hall) – Horam – Maynards Green – Heathfield
Mondays to Saturdays:- hourly daytime service. Most buses operate to or from Tunbridge Wells, as service 252. Two additional journeys operate from Hailsham to Eastbourne between 0800 and 0900.
Changes proposed Buses from Eastbourne will depart up to 8 minutes earlier than present, and buses from Heathfield up to 3 minutes later. The current arrivals in Eastbourne at 0835 and 0850, which start from Hailsham, are withdrawn. Alternative services will be available from Hailsham; however, the first morning journey serving Carew Road will in future arrive at Terminus Road at 0933.
Action proposed by None. the County Council
ACTION PROPOSED IN RESPONSE TO COMMERCIAL BUS SERVICES CHANGES TO BE INTRODUCED ON 31 JULY 2000 (continued)
Service to be Operated by Stagecoach South Coast Buses revised
Service 770 Uckfield – Maresfield – Piltdown – Newick – North Chailey – Scaynes Hill – Princess Royal Hospital – Haywards Heath – Wivelsfield (Ote Hall Chapel) – Burgess Hill – Brighton
Mondays to Saturdays:- hourly daytime service
Changes proposed Uckfield – North Chailey – Haywards Heath service to be replaced by new service 780, operating between Uckfield, Haywards Heath and Cuckfield. Haywards Heath – Brighton service 770 to start from Lindfield and operate to a revised timetable which, in combination with new service 772, will provide a half hourly service between Haywards Heath, Wivelsfield, Burgess Hill and Brighton.
Action proposed by None. the County Council
Service to be Operated by Stagecoach South Coast Buses withdrawn
Service 771 Haywards Heath – Wivelsfield (Ote Hall Chapel) – Burgess Hill – Hassocks – Pyecombe – Patcham – Brighton
Mondays to Saturdays:- hourly daytime service
Changes proposed Service to be withdrawn and replaced by new service 772 which, in combination with revised service 770, will provide a half hourly service between Haywards Heath, Wivelsfield, Burgess Hill and Brighton.
Action proposed by None the County Council
ACTION PROPOSED IN RESPONSE TO COMMERCIAL BUS SERVICES CHANGES TO BE INTRODUCED ON 31 JULY 2000 (continued)
New Service Operated by Stagecoach South Coast Buses
Service 772 Haywards Heath – Wivelsfield (Ote Hall Chapel) – Burgess Hill – Hassocks – Pyecombe – Patcham – Brighton
Mondays to Saturdays:- hourly daytime service
Note Replaces service 771, between Haywards Heath, Wivelsfield (Ote Hall Chapel), Burgess Hill and Brighton
Action proposed by None the County Council
New Service Operated by Stagecoach South Coast Buses
Service 780 Uckfield – Maresfield – Piltdown – Newick – North Chailey – Scaynes Hill – Princess Royal Hospital – Haywards Heath – Cuckfield
Mondays to Saturdays:- hourly daytime service. Connections will be made at Haywards Heath with services 770/772, to and from Brighton.
Note Replaces service 770, between Uckfield, North Chailey and Haywards Heath. Smaller buses will be used; this may cause problems at peak times. The first journey from Cuckfield (which operates on Mondays to Fridays only) provides a service to Uckfield (arr 0835). This meets a long-standing request for a journey earlier than the current first arrival (0950) in Uckfield, provided by service 770.
Action proposed by None the County Council
ACTION PROPOSED IN RESPONSE TO COMMERCIAL BUS SERVICES CHANGES TO BE INTRODUCED ON 31 JULY 2000 (continued)
Service to be Operated by Stagecoach South Coast Buses withdrawn
Service 781 Uckfield – Halland – East Hoathly – Golden Cross – Hailsham By- pass – Polegate – Eastbourne Road – Willingdon – District General Hospital – Eastbourne
Mondays to Saturdays:- three journeys per day, in each direction
Changes proposed Service to be withdrawn. New services X1 and X2, in combination with services 20, 98, 728 and 752, will provide six buses an hour between Hailsham, Polegate and Eastbourne. New service X3 will provide a peak hour service between Uckfield and Eastbourne, via East Hoathly.
Action proposed by None. Supported service 281, operated by Metrobus, will continue to the County Council operate between Uckfield and Eastbourne, via Hailsham. However, discussions are in progress with Metrobus about the future of service 281, given the enhancements which Stagecoach are making to the commercial services between Hailsham, Polegate and Eastbourne.
New Service Operated by Stagecoach South Coast Buses
Service X1 Hailsham (Town Farm Estate) – Hailsham Town Centre – Polegate – Willingdon – District General Hospital – Eastbourne
Mondays to Saturdays:- hourly daytime service
Notes This new service will contribute to a basic six buses an hour between Hailsham, Polegate and Eastbourne. The service provides a new facility for Town Farm Estate.
Action proposed by None the County Council ACTION PROPOSED IN RESPONSE TO COMMERCIAL BUS SERVICES CHANGES TO BE INTRODUCED ON 31 JULY 2000 (continued)
New Service Operated by Stagecoach South Coast Buses
Service X2 Hailsham Town Centre – London Road – Hawks Road – Hawthylands Road – Battle Road – Hawkswood Road – Horsebridge Road – London Road – Anglesey Avenue – Hempstead Lane – London Road - Hailsham Town Centre – Polegate – Willingdon – Eastbourne
Mondays to Saturdays:- hourly daytime service
Notes This new service will contribute to a basic six buses an hour between Hailsham, Polegate and Eastbourne. The service will operate over a new circular route within Hailsham.
Action proposed by None the County Council
New Service Operated by Stagecoach South Coast Buses
Service X3 Uckfield – Halland – East Hoathly – Golden Cross – Horsebridge – Hailsham – Polegate – Willingdon – District General Hospital – Eastbourne
Mondays to Fridays:- two journeys from Uckfield, at 0720 and 1855; one journey from Eastbourne at 1755
Note This is a new service.
Action proposed by None the County Council
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