Why I Hate The Sussex Bus
The following is a guest blog post by Sam Gunner:
They said they would be back!
The Sussex Bus starting from the 15th of April will have a new route, the 134 and the 135. You might be thinking, that rings a bell. That’s because The Sussex Bus used to have the 34 & the 35 routes before they lost out to Metrobus in a fair battle.
On the first day of Metrobus running the routes they brought New busses, polite uniformed drivers, the next week real time bus times came (GPS so you can tell how far away it really is) and the following month new bus stop signs. Patronage seems to have increased since re-storing the route via Hammonds Ridge and a new addition giving Sparrow Way the first bus service it has seen.
Now on the first day The Sussex bus threw their toys out of the pram – having a free voluntary donation only bus service so no one would use Metrobus’ services. The day after they retreated. Ever since then they have stickers on their “new” busses saying “Support your local independent operator”. Now I don’t know about anyone else, however I will use and fight for the service that is better, Metrobus has all the aforementioned benefits and I have not once had an issue with them after using the 34 & 35 daily.
So why am I so against The Sussex Bus?
Well they are a new company who stem from Heritage coaches and took over from Countryliner who went into Administration late last year, I applaud them for being able to run a service the next day, however Southdown PSV and Compass Bus (Another local independent operator both of which I applaud) did the same with other routes. The Sussex Bus now has old Stagecoach busses that have been repainted? Red (They are Ex london busses) they still have Stagecoach seat covers, and in some cases Stagecoach or London Specific adverts and information signs.
Rude Drivers
I have also had issues with their services that I sometimes have to use that include Not being able to board with a Valid Burgess Hill Saver Ticket, after showing proof on the Metrobus Website that it’s accepted on ALL Busses within Burgess Hill and after the driver rudely called me and Metrobus liars then leaving me in the rain to walk to the other side of town, Their drivers have sworn at me before when asking for a return and he printed a single having to revoke the ticket because of the mistake HE made. and the fact that all of their busses are dirty, old, out of condition and just generally unpleasant.
Why create the 134 and 135 routes?
Now I have said why I dislike the Sussex Bus, I think it’s obvious why I don’t want them to get in on Metrobus’ territory. I do not wish to lose the Metrobus services in replacement of The Sussex Bus, The route they have chosen for the 134 and the 135 is rather silly too as it misses out The triangle (Aside from a few services a day) and Tescos gets no service, with 1 bus serving both routes. What’s the point?
Join the dedicated Facebook Group
The Sussex Bus said they would be back, Who actually wants them back? Join the Facebook group here https://www.facebook.com/IHateThesussexbuscom and above all Travel Metrobus!
Conclusion
I am not against independent operators and I firmly believe that Compass Bus and Southdown PSV provide excellent service that rivals many big companies, however the way that The Sussex Bus have not improved in over 3 months when Metrobus improve in 1 day and for the Sussex Bus to then have the audacity to think they are better when I have had so many issues, (knowing I am not unique to this) is unbelievable!
Are you a user of buses in Burgess Hill? Are Sussex Bus really as bad as our gust blogger claims? Does there need to be the extra 134 and 135 routes? Who do you think is the best bus company serving the town?
For a company without the finances of metrobus to source buses overnight to keep the routes going should be given some credit. The vehicles they use are newer than those run by countryliner,they have been repainted sooner than countryliner (some never were repainted).They have used their own money to keep these routes going for us the public. I agree Some of the drivers are not great but credit where credit is due it has only been 3 months.
They have a website that gives you the ticket price (very rare) the buses are clean and tidy and more importantly safe.I for oe will let a metrobus vehicle pass and use thesussexbus.com,I have never had a problem with them Metrobus on the other hand is a different story.
Sam. Your views are said with rose tinted glasses with regard to Metrobus and I challenge a few details in this blog. On routes 34 & 35 Metrobus did not turn up with 'New' buses but with 'Y' registered, deisel guzzling, noisy, polluting, big old buses. They do not have the finances to supply nice, shiny new buses for their new route (or maybe they want to mass more profit!) The buses have been routed unnecessarily via Sparrow Way and Coulstock Road which often means they don't run to time through that part of their journey as they have to slow to navigate around residential parking and other works going on in the area. The patronage is, I suspect, no greater than before when the service was run on Jane Murray Way. Now, what gives Metrobus an advantage over operators in negotiations for routes? Money, profit and the backing of Go-Ahead Group plc which means they don't have to take local government funding in order to run their services. For sure, Metrobus offer a service, but it is good? Is it really good? Exceptional even? Is it that much better than other operators that you would like to see it in a monopoly situation where only the end user will lose out? Business is business but I'd suggest these routes weren't achieved from a 'level playing field' between operators tendering. Now Metrobus are here, they need to work with the community, improve the service, bring it into the 21st Century, new, clean, safe buses, exceptionally polite, careful drivers, work with the councils to provide bus stops that are clean and protect from the elements and progress must be made. If investment is not made in the down times profits will not come in the good times. Whichever bus company you are, take heed for you could be the next Countryliner!