Seaford & District have decided to stop running daytime bus services.
Compass Bus will be taking over the 228/229 bus service Tunbridge Wells to Crowborough from next week.
They announced on their website today that they would be taking over the service on Monday 8th January and there will be no changes to the timetable or fares.
Seaford and District took over the bus service from Arriva in September 2016 when the former operator considered the route commercially viable.
Seaford and District also operate the following services:
- 125 Lewes-Glynde-Firle-Alfriston-Wilmington-Eastbourne
Seaford & District’s service will end on 10th February. A replacement operator is being sought, though the new service may run on a reduced number of days. - 231 Uckfield-Framfield-Heathfield-Burwash-Etchingham
This service is funded by East Sussex County Council with the contract due to the end on 31st March, so any change will be from this date. The replacement service may not be as comprehensive as the current provision (Seaford & District currently provide an improved hourly service between Uckfield and Heathfield) - .261 Uckfield-Nutley-Coleman’s Hatch-Forest Row-E Grinstead
Compass Travel have agreed to take over this service so there should be no effect on service 261 users. - Other school bus services operated by Seaford & District are not affected by their decision to no longer provide daytime bus services.
An East Sussex County Council spokesman said discussions are being held with Kent County Council over arrangements for pupils attending schools in Tunbridge Wells:
We have been made aware that Seaford & District is withdrawing from running daytime bus services to concentrate on school routes, seasonal services and group hire.
This includes the 228 and 229 route, for which we currently provide funding for the section of the route running locally around Crowborough and Jarvis Brook.
We are in discussion with Kent County Council to establish whether they might have scope to provide funding to continue a comprehensive service to accommodate the large number of school pupils travelling within Kent.
It may be that the route has to be run on a reduced basis only covering Crowborough and Jarvis Brook. We are actively seeking an alternative contractor to ensure continuity of service once Seaford & District stop running the route on February 10th.
An alternative route is offered on the Brighton & Hove Buses 29 service which also runs between Crowborough and Tunbridge Wells.