As far as possible, we aim to keep you up to date on our website.
We have changed the way we date our Newsletters. This was in arrears, now it is for the forthcoming month.
So our latest newsletter is February 2026, which also covers the period of December 2025.
This includes:-
- Our January Buswatch meeting
(includes Old Steine bus stops, Coach arragements and Real-time information).
- Aquarium junction.
- Half Marathon day.
- and changes to East Sussex tickets.
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There are still deep concerns about Brighton and Hove Council's LTP5 City plan, and likely problems with the Valley Gardens scheme,
especially with regard to disabled access to buses. To see what was previously written
Click here
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General bus information:
The headlines:
- Several local bus companies have won a number of awards over the past year.
- More fare increases have been announced.
- From 24th November the service 701 timetable was updated.
All our information is thought to be correct to 6th February 2026.
On 1st February cheaper fares for journeys fully within East Sussex are likely have gone up from their £1/£2/£3 fares.
This is at least partly due to these fares proving more popular than expected, causing an overspend on the BSIP budget.
So these lower fares have increased to perhaps £1.70 and upto £2.90. The £3 government directly sponsored fares cap remains at £3.
While most East Sussex Supported fares have been withdrawn, the under 19 East Sussex Freedom ticket, will be retained, but go up
from £15 to £20 on the 16th of February. And some savings will remain on accompanied children's fares.
While it is assumed these fares have gone up, fare-tables on the Brighton & Hove Bus Company's website (as of 3/2/26), remained unchanged!
One of the bigger loses is the axing of the £6.10 all day East Sussex ticket (and weekly equivalent), which allowed travel on multiple
bus company's services. The nearest equivalent is probably the Discovery ticket at about £10!.
So this leaves West Sussex's 16 to 20 fares, as the probably the best local deal for young people
(and even this is said to be under review). As the government's BSIP grant to all Sussex councils has been reduced from April,
there is question marks over whether we will see such attractive fare offers again.
As mentioned in our January Newsletter. Some Brighton & Hove Bus period tickets rose on 1st January, including ending
under 19 fares. This has been changed to the August after your 18th birthday, rather than 19;
and more importantly, will require greater proof of age, if you are over 14. Student fares have also increased. Interestingly
Compass Travel are still quoting under 19 fares!
In early November, Short hop and two stage adult fares increased within the city to £1.30 and £2.60 respectively.
Although some subsidy remains on these.
While this could be seen as the third increase in a few months, each increase affects different tickets,
so there has basically only been one increase, and a few fares/tickets have remained the same.
Different bus operators have their own 'tap-on-tap off' system, so paper Saver tickets are better, if you want to travel on
both Brighton & Hove and
Compass Travel buses, in the city. Metrobus and Brighton & Hove Bus systems probably do not share the cap on each other's fares.
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Information by Bus Company:
Brighton & Hove Bus Co.:
Awards to the bus company include:
- - Winner of best bus service, for the 1X.
- - Winner of the best use of Technology.
- - Gold- Recruitment and Retention.
- - Gold- Marketing for growth- 1X.
- - Silver - Top City Operator.
CONGRATULATIONS!
For a look at whether Adult tap-on fares are cheaper than period tickets- Click here
Please keep your phone separate from debit cards,
or the system may not know which one to charge!
Click here for Brighton & Hove Bus Company's main website.
Stagecoach: Covering the area between Littlehampton, Worthing, and Brighton (and towards Horsham).
The service 700 from Brighton to Durrington has been enhanced to run 24 hours a day,
seven days a week! From 24th November the service 701 timetable was updated.
Metrobus, south and mid Sussex:
Metrobus won Silver, as the Shire operator of the year, and also won a second silver award,
for the largest introduction of Hydrogen powered buses in the UK. Again Congratulations.
Although with the battery fire (NOT a Hydrogen fire), the bus company may not feel quite so positive about the Hydrogen buses,
as it has needed to create
a borrowed fleet, to make the best of the temporary withdrawal of these buses. Metrobus apologise for any reductions on
its most frequent services. This is to make sure less frequent services can run reliably.
Compass Travel:
Compass Travel took over Big Lemon's supported services 16, 47 and 52- while retaining the service 37/37B.
All eleven new buses have now entered service. Compass Travel is also an award winning bus company-
coming second, to a small operator in the north of England for customer satisfaction. Quite an achievement.
Click here for the Compass Travel's website.
For their real-time information:
Click here.
CTLA & Cuckmere bus services:
Click here for their website
Or phone 01273 517332.
We do not generally list changes to Cuckmere bus services.
Flixbus are offering a new Brighton to London and Cambridge service.
