Bus Service for Hailsham Residents on New Year’s Day

Working with Hailsham Town Council and other parishes in the Wealden district, local bus operator Cuckmere Buses has stepped in again to fill a big gap in the seasonal timetables over the festive break.

Hailsham Town Council, along with one other parish council, is part-subsidising the cost of running a special service on New Year’s Day on Cuckmere Buses route 50 from Hailsham to Eastbourne via Polegate and Willingdon.

Cuckmere Buses, which is run entirely by volunteers was concerned that Hailsham would be left without any public transport on 1^st January 2022, as the commercial bus companies normally serving the town do not operate on this day, leaving Hailsham residents without a transport link to Polegate train station or Eastbourne town centre.

This is the eleventh consecutive year that Cuckmere Buses has run this special bus service.

Councillor Gavin Blake-Coggins, chairman of the Town Council’s Finance, Budget & Resources Committee said: “We are delighted that Hailsham Town Council is supporting Cuckmere Buses New Year’s Day service again, which will enable people to visit friends and loved ones in neighbouring towns, allow bargain hunters to reach Eastbourne town centre easily to do a spot of shopping, or just to simply to go for a festive pint in Hailsham town centre.”

“This service is vital for those who will use it and it’s pleasing to hear about the positive feedback received from passengers who used the service in previous years, expressing their delight and thanks to the volunteer drivers, and the fact that the Town Council continually supports Cuckmere Buses by underwriting the service.”

Town Clerk John Harrison said: “It’s a privilege for Hailsham Town Council to support this essential service financially and the Town Council will continue to work with Wealden Bus Alliance, Cuckmere Buses and other local bus operators to help provide public transport services aimed at benefiting everyone locally.”

Cuckmere Buses Managing Director, Philip Ayers, said: “Once again, our volunteers will be pleased to offer a service from Hailsham and Polegate into Eastbourne on New Year’s Day 2022, when there are no other bus services running.”

“The service will run hourly throughout the day and timetables can be picked up from our buses, or Stagecoach buses locally. A copy can also be downloaded from our website and we look forward to carrying lots of people out to enjoy themselves.”

Full details of the New Year’s Day number 50 service are available now on the Cuckmere Buses website.

Demand for the Cuckmere Buses service means that additional volunteer drivers are needed. If you are over 25 years of age, able to offer your services and would like more information on volunteer training opportunities, contact Philip Ayers on 01323 870920 or 07834 558376.