Bus travel has never been such good value

Getting about by bus in East Sussex is now more affordable than in other parts of the country thanks to a partnership between East Sussex County Council (ESCC) and Stagecoach, the county’s biggest bus operator.

“We think bus fares in East Sussex are now among the best value in the UK”, says James Third, Stagecoach Head of Operations for the East Sussex region.

Single fares across England are capped at a maximum of £3, but East Sussex has gone further thanks to funding from the county’s Bus Service Improvement Plan – a scheme backed by central government to help with regional initiatives to boost bus travel. It means that visitors and residents in East Sussex pay less to get the bus with single fares reduced even further and cheap day tickets available for unlimited travel around the county.

Short hop bus trips are now just £1 for an adult or 50p for a child. Medium distance journeys are capped at £2, and passengers never pay more than £3 no matter how far they travel.

“It’s as easy as 3,2,1” says James Third. “But the savings don’t just stop there.”

The County Council also support low-cost day tickets that are valid for unlimited use on any bus in the county. There are ‘DayRider’ tickets for adults, the under 30s, and young people under the age of 19.

 

DayRider tickets can be purchased from the driver on the bus or in advance on the Stagecoach Bus App.

Councillor Claire Dowling, lead member for transport and the environment at East Sussex County Council, said: “The county council is committed to supporting bus services in East Sussex and we are pleased to be working with Stagecoach to make bus travel even more affordable across the county.

“These new BSIP funded fares will ensure residents continue to benefit from low-cost single trips and we hope the reduced fares will encourage even more people to travel by bus in 2025.”

Children and young people can also benefit from additional savings on bus travel with a £1 single fare for the under 19s available from 6pm on Mondays to Fridays, and all day at weekends and during school holidays. There’s also a 50p accompanied young person’s ticket where up to four young people can take a single ride for 50p each when accompanied by an adult with a valid adult ticket or concession pass. On top of this, there continues to be a great value weekly ‘Freedom’ ticket for children travelling to and from schools or colleges in East Sussex.

James Third says “These initiatives mean that East Sussex has some of the lowest bus fares in the country, allowing passengers to enjoy hassle-free travel to top destinations or just get across town for less.”

The cheap single fares are available until at least the end of March 2025, with funding expected to be in place for the other ticket initiatives until 2026.

More information on Stagecoach’s East Sussex bus fares can be found on the company’s website at https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/south-east/explore-east-sussex-for-less

For information about the East Sussex Bus Service Improvement Plan visit https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/roads-transport/public/bus-service-improvement-plan

A Stagecoach South East bus in East Sussex, photo credit to @tobidrivesbuses on X