Sadly, it appears Seaford & District are to stop operating main daytime bus routes. Compass Bus have announced they are taking over routes 228/229 (which Seaford took over from Arriva after they abandoned this route a few years ago) and 261 as of 8th January. I believe the 228/9 is commercial, and 261 an East Sussex contract. Seaford have said a replacement operator is being sought for route 125. Route 231 will continue until contract end in March. It is believed the 228/9 will reduce in frequency, and also the 231 as some journeys are commercial.
They are a highly professional company, and when I have sampled some of these routes, i've been impressed with the standard of the vehicles (including a R-reg Volvo/Wright, which felt brand new). This is a bit of a surprise for me, as it seemed they were doing well (perhaps they are doing well, and there are other reasons). But, nothing should surprise me in this increasingly difficult bus industry.
Seaford still operate various school services, the Eastbourne Sightseeing, and operate a lot of private hire, rail replacement, and have a good vintage fleet. I hope they continue having success with their remaining work.
Its good to see Compass Bus expanding though, and this will bring them into Kent for the first time (I think). They already operate over a large area covering East Sussex, West Sussex and Surrey.
It seems in recent years I just hear constantly operators giving up routes, and councils scrambling to try and find a replacement. There are less and less operators meaning less competition in contracts, making it all more expensive. I have heard in some areas where routes are put out to tender, and only one (or none!) operator responding. Such a shame, as there are plenty of decent operators such as Seaford who have given up because of the poor state of our bus industry
They are a highly professional company, and when I have sampled some of these routes, i've been impressed with the standard of the vehicles (including a R-reg Volvo/Wright, which felt brand new). This is a bit of a surprise for me, as it seemed they were doing well (perhaps they are doing well, and there are other reasons). But, nothing should surprise me in this increasingly difficult bus industry.
Seaford still operate various school services, the Eastbourne Sightseeing, and operate a lot of private hire, rail replacement, and have a good vintage fleet. I hope they continue having success with their remaining work.
Its good to see Compass Bus expanding though, and this will bring them into Kent for the first time (I think). They already operate over a large area covering East Sussex, West Sussex and Surrey.
It seems in recent years I just hear constantly operators giving up routes, and councils scrambling to try and find a replacement. There are less and less operators meaning less competition in contracts, making it all more expensive. I have heard in some areas where routes are put out to tender, and only one (or none!) operator responding. Such a shame, as there are plenty of decent operators such as Seaford who have given up because of the poor state of our bus industry
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