The Big Lemon

[TheGrandWazoo]

I see, I thought that might have been the case. Only buses of theirs I see around Bristol now are the Peugeot/Mellor minis for its council tendered routes. All the E200's inherited from CT Plus/Transpora seem to operate out of JVA Sunseeker Tours' depot in Radstock now.

They don’t work out of Radstock and haven’t for some time. All work is out of Parson Street

 

[Recessio]

Was just on a Big Lemon branded diesel bus as part of the Lewes-Three Bridges rail replacement. Surprised they had the buses spare to do so, if the tender doesn't end until tomorrow!

 

[stadler]

Was just on a Big Lemon branded diesel bus as part of the Lewes-Three Bridges rail replacement. Surprised they had the buses spare to do so, if the tender doesn't end until tomorrow!

That would have been their Seaford & District operation which is separate to their Brighton operation. All of those buses are diesel. They purchased Seaford & District a few years ago and have since repainted and rebranded all of the vehicles as Big Lemon now. Oddly their website is still Seaford & District despite the fact that the brand no longer exists on the vehicles.

All they run is school bus routes so they have dozens of spare buses on weekends. They are one of the most common rail replacement operators on the route. I believe they had eight vehicles out yesterday.

One of their buses ran out of fuel at Balcombe on the last bus of the day from Three Bridges to Lewes in the early hours of this morning. The passengers had to wait just over two hours for a replacement to turn up. There was only eight passengers onboard but i imagine they were all very unhappy.

 

[that1pepfan]

A final farewell to the big lemon on routes 16, 47 & 52. Here's the second to last service 52. In the hands of YJ68 FZN

 

[robertclark125]

That would have been their Seaford & District operation which is separate to their Brighton operation. All of those buses are diesel. They purchased Seaford & District a few years ago and have since repainted and rebranded all of the vehicles as Big Lemon now. Oddly their website is still Seaford & District despite the fact that the brand no longer exists on the vehicles.

All they run is school bus routes so they have dozens of spare buses on weekends. They are one of the most common rail replacement operators on the route. I believe they had eight vehicles out yesterday.

One of their buses ran out of fuel at Balcombe on the last bus of the day from Three Bridges to Lewes in the early hours of this morning. The passengers had to wait just over two hours for a replacement to turn up. There was only eight passengers onboard but i imagine they were all very unhappy.

Why couldn't the operator call for taxis to take them on?

 

[stadler]

Why couldn't the operator call for taxis to take them on?

On this occasion Southern were not even informed so they had no opportunity to call taxis. The rail replacement drivers are supposed to have a number for the RRB supervisor at Southern to call but this rarely happens in practice. The driver had instead contacted a supervisor at the Big Lemon and they sent another bus from their Hailsham depot. But that took just over two hours to arrange and arrive as another driver had to first drive from his home to the depot to pick up the rescue bus. Rather appalingly this is the fourth occasion that a Big Lemon bus has run out of fuel on rail replacement in the past fourteen months. The issue is they have a bunch of knackered old buses with broken fuel gauges. The particular vehicle that ran out of fuel this morning does not have a working fuel gauge so the driver was not even aware until it came to a stop near Balcombe station. They know how much fuel they need for their regular school routes but on RRB they can sometimes forget to fill up if it is one of their many vehicles with a broken fuel gauge.

 

[mayneway]

On this occasion Southern were not even informed so they had no opportunity to call taxis. The rail replacement drivers are supposed to have a number for the RRB supervisor at Southern to call but this rarely happens in practice. The driver had instead contacted a supervisor at the Big Lemon and they sent another bus from their Hailsham depot. But that took just over two hours to arrange and arrive as another driver had to first drive from his home to the depot to pick up the rescue bus. Rather appalingly this is the fourth occasion that a Big Lemon bus has run out of fuel on rail replacement in the past fourteen months. The issue is they have a bunch of knackered old buses with broken fuel gauges. The particular vehicle that ran out of fuel this morning does not have a working fuel gauge so the driver was not even aware until it came to a stop near Balcombe station. They know how much fuel they need for their regular school routes but on RRB they can sometimes forget to fill up if it is one of their many vehicles with a broken fuel gauge.

To be fair it’s more common than you think. I’ve worked for several operators, currently with Stagecoach, and it’s extremely common for fuel gauges not to be working or be pretty inaccurate with buses running out of fuel.

 

[Recessio]

That would have been their Seaford & District operation which is separate to their Brighton operation. All of those buses are diesel. They purchased Seaford & District a few years ago and have since repainted and rebranded all of the vehicles as Big Lemon now. Oddly their website is still Seaford & District despite the fact that the brand no longer exists on the vehicles.

All they run is school bus routes so they have dozens of spare buses on weekends. They are one of the most common rail replacement operators on the route. I believe they had eight vehicles out yesterday.

One of their buses ran out of fuel at Balcombe on the last bus of the day from Three Bridges to Lewes in the early hours of this morning. The passengers had to wait just over two hours for a replacement to turn up. There was only eight passengers onboard but i imagine they were all very unhappy.

On this occasion Southern were not even informed so they had no opportunity to call taxis. The rail replacement drivers are supposed to have a number for the RRB supervisor at Southern to call but this rarely happens in practice. The driver had instead contacted a supervisor at the Big Lemon and they sent another bus from their Hailsham depot. But that took just over two hours to arrange and arrive as another driver had to first drive from his home to the depot to pick up the rescue bus. Rather appalingly this is the fourth occasion that a Big Lemon bus has run out of fuel on rail replacement in the past fourteen months. The issue is they have a bunch of knackered old buses with broken fuel gauges. The particular vehicle that ran out of fuel this morning does not have a working fuel gauge so the driver was not even aware until it came to a stop near Balcombe station. They know how much fuel they need for their regular school routes but on RRB they can sometimes forget to fill up if it is one of their many vehicles with a broken fuel gauge.

Cheers for the info. Sounds like the Seaford operation isn't much better than the Brighton one then!

 

[Park47515]

Was actually Impressed that at one point today there were three Higers on the 52. It feels like that has been a rare feat in the last 18 months.

Compass will be a vast improvement, once they get over the bumps, regardless of them being diesels.

 

[that1pepfan]

Was actually Impressed that at one point today there were three Higers on the 52. It feels like that has been a rare feat in the last 18 months.

Compass will be a vast improvement, once they get over the bumps, regardless of them being diesels.

Both of my 52s today were solos, one being YJ15 AWG and the other being YJ68 FZN I previously mentioned in post #34

 

[Bornin1980s]

To be fair it’s more common than you think. I’ve worked for several operators, currently with Stagecoach, and it’s extremely common for fuel gauges not to be working or be pretty inaccurate with buses running out of fuel.

Are the charge indicators on EVs more accurate?

 

[mayneway]

Are the charge indicators on EVs more accurate?

Errrrr on our ADL’s they can be but can suddenly drop big chunks of charge during very cold weather.

 

[that1pepfan]

On loan YX24 PLN seen at Patcham Old Village on a 52.

 

[lukem]

It appears that The Big Lemon in Bristol will be having a public enquiry, not sure what for.

PSV notices and proceedings for the west of England

Notice of bus and coach operator licence applications to, and decisions made by, the Traffic Commissioner for the west of England.

www.gov.uk

S28 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 28 (The Transport Act 1985)
Public Inquiry (92097) to be held at Jubilee House (Bristol), BS5 0GB, Croydon Street, Bristol, on 6
August 2025 commencing at 10:30
PH2058842 SN
THE BIG LEMON C.I.C.
Director(s): THOMAS DRUITT, RONALD TANNER, RYAN WROTNY
THE BIG LEMON, PROTRAN HOUSE, BOUNDARY ROAD, BRIGHTON, BN2 5TJ
S17 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 17 (The Public Passenger Vehicles Act
1981)
S28 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 28 (The Transport Act 1985)

 

[nick291]

It appears that The Big Lemon in Bristol will having a public enquiry, not sure what for.

Not something I was expecting to read today.

 

[t rex]

It appears that The Big Lemon in Bristol will having a public enquiry, not sure what for.

Edited as requested this is a picture of sections 17 and 28 describing what big lemon are going to public inquiry for

 

[duncombec]

I think the point being made is that the two sections quoted as being the grounds are basically some of the standardised sections (section 26 being another) quoted for calling a PI, and the precise reason behind it isn't known. That could be anything from maintenance issues to something purely administrative such as not having the relevant sums per authorised disc in the bank account.

 

[nick291]

I think the point being made is that the two sections quoted as being the grounds are basically some of the standardised sections (section 26 being another) quoted for calling a PI, and the precise reason behind it isn't known. That could be anything from maintenance issues to something purely administrative such as not having the relevant sums per authorised disc in the bank account.

The latter would make sense given they lost all their service work in Brighton & Hove.

 

[t rex]

Seen on the k1 in Keynsham bristol today is freshly repainted from white to lemon yellow fiat electric minibus sj21nlk

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Jul 2025 ==

Big lemon Sj21nln on k1 just been repainted into lemon yellow

 

[diffywood]

From Facebook

Exciting changes to our services from 31/08/2025

X10 Clevedon - Southmead Hospital.
Following feedback from stakeholders the following changes will be made.

All Journeys will operate between Yatton Railway Station, Clevedon, Portishead. Cribbs Causeway, Filton and Southmead Hospital 6 days a week Monday to Saturday. Additional trips added to the timetable on all days on a commercial basis following an increase in passenger numbers and feedback from passengers and stakeholders.

Our thanks to North Somerset Council and GWR for the assistance and support with service X10

Y8 Charfield - Hawksbury Upton via Yate (WESTLocal)
This WESTLocal service will undergo a major revamp, following ongoing campaigns from community groups The MCA has agreed to fund the service to operate a clockwise and anti-clockwise loop between Yate and Wotton-under-edge via Chipping Sodbury, Wickwar Charfield, Kingswood, Wortley, Hillesley, Hawksbury Upton and Horton. This is possible due to additional grant funding from the MCA

40 Avonmouth - Crow Lane (WESTLocal)
This Monday to Friday WESTLocal service will extend beyond Crow Lane to Asda and Cribbs Causeway Bus Station. This is possible thanks to additional grant funding from The MCA

K1 Hercules Way - Trajectus Way via Keynsham Town Centre. (WESTLocal)
This WESTLocal service will additionally call at Keynsham Tescos following feedback from passengers. Minor adjustments to timings to add this stop service remains hourly. Continues to operate Monday to Saturday.

X91 Ubley - Bristol City Centre. (WESTLocal)
This WESTLocal service sees additional trips added to the weekday timetable. A brand new Saturday service introduced with evening services into and out of the City. This is thanks to further grant funding from the MCA

99 Ubley - Paulton (WESTLocal)
This WESTLocal service sees a massive change to simplify the service following feedback from users and stakeholders. Following surveys the MCA has agreed to change the route to a Circular service running more regular between Ubley and Pensford only very similar to its night time routing.
Passengers needing Paulton can change to First Bus 172 at Pensford. Purchasing an Avon Rider Ticket means you can use both services.
Friday Evening and Bank Holiday service withdrawn due to very low passenger numbers.

Huge thanks to the Communtiy Groups we work with as well as the MCA for the work in getting the extra funding to grow these services.

Timetables to follow shortly.

 

[Titfield]

I think the point being made is that the two sections quoted as being the grounds are basically some of the standardised sections (section 26 being another) quoted for calling a PI, and the precise reason behind it isn't known. That could be anything from maintenance issues to something purely administrative such as not having the relevant sums per authorised disc in the bank account.

The entries in Notices and Proceedings are purely a listing. The operator would have received a detailed call up letter from the Traffic Commissioner which would have outlined the issues that the operator faces.

Financial Standing is very important indeed as ready access to finance is crucial in vehicle maintenance which goes to roadworthiness and thus safety.

The Statutory Guidance issued by the Senior Traffic Commissioner (available online) is very informative as to the TCs interpretation of the legislation and also notes where appeals to the Upper Tribunal have clarified how legislation should be interpreted.

Do not rely on AI generated responses to legal issues as it is not always correct.

 

[Bungle965]

Anyone aware of what is happening with the Higher Steed vehicles that they have got? Just noticed whilst looking on BusTimes that none of them have tracked since June.

 

[stadler]

Anyone aware of what is happening with the Higher Steed vehicles that they have got? Just noticed whilst looking on BusTimes that none of them have tracked since June.

All four are still in daily use on the Brighton contracts. All four of the Higer Steed vehicles have been used on the L&G routes in the past week. They have just removed the ticket machines which means they no longer track. They are used on the Legal & General contract (PVR of 4 vehicles) every weekday and the Brighton City College contract (PVR of 2 vehicles) every termtime weekday. They no longer have any public routes but they have kept their private contracts which require quite a few vehicles (a total PVR of 6 vehicles) so these four Higer Steed buses still get plenty of use. They are much more reliable compared to the Optare Solo SR EV buses so they are likely to keep them for a while.

 

[duncombec]

It appears that The Big Lemon in Bristol will be having a public enquiry, not sure what for.

PSV notices and proceedings for the west of England

Notice of bus and coach operator licence applications to, and decisions made by, the Traffic Commissioner for the west of England.

www.gov.uk

The results were announced in this morning's Western area N&P:

Public Inquiry (92097) held at Jubilee House (Bristol), BS5 0GB, Croydon Street, Bristol, on 6 August 2025 commenced at 10:30 (Previous Publication3019)) PH2058842 SN THE BIG LEMON C.I.C. Director(s): THOMAS DRUITT, RYAN WROTNY THE BIG LEMON, PROTRAN HOUSE, BOUNDARY ROAD, BRIGHTON, BN2 5TJ

S17 - Condition varied/attached to curtail to 10 Vehicles for 21 consecutive days from and including 1 September to and including 21 September 2025 Sch.3 - The operator's repute is marked as badly tarnished but not lost

There is no formal written decision yet, but that may take a while to be published.

 

[nick291]

The results were announced in this morning's Western area N&P:



There is no formal written decision yet, but that may take a while to be published.

Pure speculation on my behalf here, but what did they do so badly wrong for Mr. Rooney to make this decision?

 

[freetoview33]

The results were announced in this morning's Western area N&P:



There is no formal written decision yet, but that may take a while to be published.

How will this effect the services?

 

[stadler]

So yet another Big Lemon bus driver who thinks it is okay to smoke a cigarette while driving a bus full of passengers.

Bristol bus driver caught on camera smoking while driving

Passengers say he refused to stop when asked

www.bristolpost.co.uk

Bristol bus driver caught on camera smoking while driving

Passengers say he refused to stop when asked

05:00, 15 Oct 2025 Updated 14:57, 15 Oct 2025

A bus driver in Bristol has been caught on film smoking a cigarette while at the wheel. Passenger Riley Whitman used his mobile phone to film the driver and claims that the driver 'refused' to put out the cigarette when asked to do so by passengers.

Mr Whitman had been travelling on the X91 bus, operated by The Big Lemon bus company, between Bristol and Ubley in the Chew Valley on Saturday (Oct 11). He described how at around 2.20pm just by Bristol city centre, he realised the driver of the bus he was on was smoking while driving.

He told BristolLive: "It was extremely distressing. The bus driver was smoking and refusing to put it out. It was completely unsafe and disgusting."

Video footage captured by Mr Whitman shows the driver sat behind the wheel, with one hand balanced over the driver's inner door, with a lit cigarette in hand while the bus was moving. The engine can be heard in the video and, through the windscreen, it is clear that the bus is not stationary.

A fire extinguisher can also be seen in the frame, behind glass.

A spokesperson for The Big Lemon bus company told BristolLive: "I am able to confirm that the driver concerned has been identified and will be the subject of an internal investigation in line with our company policy and procedures."

The X91 bus route travels from the city centre, to Temple Meads Station, Bedminster, Hartcliffe, Chew Magna, Bishop Sutton, East Harptree and Ubley. The Big Lemon buses are recognisable for either being bright yellow in colour or white.

What is the law around smoking while driving a bus?

According to ASH (Action on Smoking and Health), and the Gov.uk website, smoke-free legislation in England forms part of the Health Act 2006 and The Children and Families Act 2014. As part of the Health Act, smoking in all public transport was prohibited as well as vehicles used for work purposes by more than one person at any time.

The law states that it is illegal for a bus driver to smoke in a bus. The vehicle must be smoke-free at all times, even when not in use for passengers, and must display a 'no smoking' sign. The driver could face a fine and disciplinary action by the company they work for.

In addition, the Highway Code 2007 advises against smoking and driving because it can cause a distraction.

View attachment ssstik.io_@bristol.live_1760607908314.mp4

TikTok - Make Your Day

vm.tiktok.com

I had a similar experience about eighteen months ago on one of their Brighton services. The bus was empty (as it was the last journey of the day which is usually quiet) but as the bus approached the driver was openly smoking a cigarette. He did extinguish it after he sold me a ticket once i was onboard but the bus still stunk of cigarette smoke.

Then a couple months later i see on a residents Facebook group in Brighton that there were two separate complaints about a driver on the Big Lemon who regularly smokes while driving.

Now we have this recent video showing a Big Lemon driver in Bristol smoking a cigarette while driving. This is probably a completely different driver as this is the Bristol operation. But clearly they are not employing the best people.

Unfortunately it seems that the Big Lemon just employ a fair amount of dodgy drivers. To be fair they do have many good drivers too but unfortunately a lot of their drivers are not up to a great standard. They come across as one of those unprofessional "cowboy" operations.

It is really time for the Traffic Commissioner to crack down on this company. Their operation in Brighton was a joke. There was always so many complaints on Facebook groups about unprofessional drivers and buses not turning up and drivers taking shortcuts and skipping out parts of the route. I had at least three occasions when a bus failed to turn up. There has been a lot of relief from happy residents now that Compass Bus have taken over the Brighton network and they finally have a proper professional bus service. Unfortunately those in the Bristol and Bath area (and those who take Rail Replacement in the Sussex area) are still stuck with them.

 

[nick291]

So yet another Big Lemon bus driver who thinks it is okay to smoke a cigarette while driving a bus full of passengers.

Bristol bus driver caught on camera smoking while driving

Passengers say he refused to stop when asked

www.bristolpost.co.uk

View attachment 190468

View attachment 190469

TikTok - Make Your Day

vm.tiktok.com

I had a similar experience about eighteen months ago on one of their Brighton services. The bus was empty (as it was the last journey of the day which is usually quiet) but as the bus approached the driver was openly smoking a cigarette. He did extinguish it after he sold me a ticket once i was onboard but the bus still stunk of cigarette smoke.

Then a couple months later i see on a residents Facebook group in Brighton that there were two separate complaints about a driver on the Big Lemon who regularly smokes while driving.

Now we have this recent video showing a Big Lemon driver in Bristol smoking a cigarette while driving. This is probably a completely different driver as this is the Bristol operation. But clearly they are not employing the best people.

Unfortunately it seems that the Big Lemon just employ a fair amount of dodgy drivers. To be fair they do have many good drivers too but unfortunately a lot of their drivers are not up to a great standard. They come across as one of those unprofessional "cowboy" operations.

It is really time for the Traffic Commissioner to crack down on this company. Their operation in Brighton was a joke. There was always so many complaints on Facebook groups about unprofessional drivers and buses not turning up and drivers taking shortcuts and skipping out parts of the route. I had at least three occasions when a bus failed to turn up. There has been a lot of relief from happy residents now that Compass Bus have taken over the Brighton network and they finally have a proper professional bus service. Unfortunately those in the Bristol and Bath area (and those who take Rail Replacement in the Sussex area) are still stuck with them.

No worse than the Severnside Driver I had once on the 635(now Stagecoach 12)who vaped in the cab in 2018. But part of me wonders if this is partly to do with the TC's decision for a license curtailment to 10 vehicles? Well complaints of a similar nature.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think the problem essentially is that you can't afford to employ quality staff if you're running a small bus operator because otherwise you don't win any tenders as you end up more expensive than the big boys. Coach operators can manage it because in that area people will pay for quality, but not just budget small bus operations. Thus pretty much all small bus operators come across as cowboys in some ways - it's only really the family businesses that have been going for years but probably hardly making any money now where that seems to matter.

 

[stadler]

No worse than the Severnside Driver I had once on the 635(now Stagecoach 12)who vaped in the cab in 2018. But part of me wonders if this is partly to do with the TC's decision for a license curtailment to 10 vehicles? Well complaints of a similar nature.

I do wonder what that Public Inquiry that the Big Lemon had was about. There was no information other than the vague sections that were being considered for disciplinary action. Does a formal detailed report get published anywhere? If so then where can this be viewed?