New (almost!) double decker buses have appeared on the Stagecoach Eastbourne route 1A in recent weeks, featuring audio announcements of next stops. This is very important for anyone with sight impairment, but reassuring for everyone on the bus – especially those new to bus travel or unfamiliar with the area. In due course, all buses will be required to install this facility giving us a ’step change’ in the quality of bus travel. The display on the front of these buses is in clear ‘white on black’ type, a departure from the current coloured type. Seating is comfortable and charging points standard.
New Improvements
ESCC EVENT- DISPLAYS ON SHOW:
Other improvements are to follow in due course including those unveiled at County Hall in mid-January. An invited audience of groups and individuals saw examples of bus stop information displays designed to help those with sight impairment, while benefiting all users. A large number of bus stops in East Sussex, Brighton and Hove (220) will see these installed, including an audio version with instructions in braille.
Maintaining and Improving Reliability of our Buses
Services restored and increased though the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) over the last year have added journey opportunities and attracted new passengers. Their voices are now heard through bus user groups set up in Eastbourne and Hastings areas where concerns are aired and opportunities for improvements discussed with local authorities and bus operators. Improvements there certainly have been and more are in the pipeline with bus priority measures coming for Eastbourne to benefit bus services on the Hailsham – Stone Cross – North Langney – Seaside corridor as well as the Hailsham – Polegate – Willingdon – DGH – Eastbourne corridor. These are congestion busters!
BRIGHTON. AND HOVE ‘COASTER’ SERVICE 12 PASSING EXCEAT – SEVEN SISTERS COUNTRY PARK
To the west, the success of the popular Brighton and Hove 12/12X13X routes is worthy of note. The proposals between Eastbourne and Brighton are key to its continuing success and development against a backdrop of congestion hotspots, so we strongly support those measures proposed for: A259 Upperton Road – Station Parade, Eastbourne; A259 Newhaven, The Drove – Denton Roundabout; A259 Telscombe Cliffs – Peacehaven.
Conclusion
Buses are certainly getting better: wi-fi is now standard along with the ‘kneeling’ function to allow easy access for all.
Derrick Coffee
EEAN Transport Group
The importance of bus services in and around Eastbourne was a major topic at the initial meeting of the Eastbourne Area Bus Users Group (EABUG). This event took place in Eastbourne Town Hall on 16th October 2024. The group is an initiative of the Eastbourne Eco Action Network (EEAN). It aims to provide an interface between bus users, bus companies and local authorities. EABUG plans to meet three times a year.
Prominent among those present were representatives of local bus companies, Stagecoach, Brighton & Hove and Cuckmere buses. Also present were representatives of local disability groups, local and county councillors plus members of the public.
Jill Shacklock and David Everson (EEAN) both highlighted the need for good bus services. This was for those who could not drive or afford to drive, school children, those with disabilities or the elderly. They also emphasised the need to develop good sustainable transport systems.
East Sussex CC
A member of the East Sussex Bus Team, Donnalyn Morris, gave an update on a variety of infrastructure projects that had been taking place in Eastbourne and Friston. Work on the Hailsham Mobility Hub was yet to start, with discussions currently taking place with Tesco about the project. The consultation about the proposed Bus Priority measures along Seaside and St Anthony’s in Eastbourne had now completed and a decision would be made in November.
Stagecoach
Matthew Arnold, Commercial Director, Stagecoach South East expressed concern over the detrimental effect that congestion had on bus punctuality and highlighted problems in Eastbourne. He described these as the worst in the south east. He stated that car traffic was up 15% on pre Covid levels whilst bus passenger numbers had only risen to 94% of pre-Covid usage.
In addition, he also stated that buses were hindered by lack of co-ordination in the planning of roadworks. There needed to be more advance information sharing between ESCC and utility companies.
Brighton & Hove
Ben Garcia, from Brighton and Hove Buses, informed the meeting of recent improvements to their bus services. They are now a UK lead when it comes to inclusivity on their buses. They have dementia friendly seating and their drivers are trained to be ‘Dementia Friends’. All their buses are ‘talking buses’.
Cuckmere
Nick Price from Cuckmere Buses informed the meeting that their operation of eight, 16 seater buses were all driven by volunteers and that their new timetables would be published soon.
The main body of the meeting involved presentations, discussions and workshops about ‘Accessible Information’ on buses. New legislation requires most buses to provide information to passengers about the bus number and route and next stop information. Importantly the information must be given both visually and aurally. The new legislation came into force on 1st October 2024 for buses registered after October 2019. Older buses that need to be retrofitted with display boards and sound systems must be accessible by October 2026.
Using Apps
During the meeting there was a short presentation on how to use both Stagecoach and Brighton & Hove Bus Apps. QR codes were also highlighted as a quick means of accessing information at bus stops. A limiting factor for both of these sources of information is the necessity to have a Smart phone to access it.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of EABUG is planned for February 2025.
For further details please visit – Eastbourne ECO Action Network.
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