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New Year’s Day Bus Service Well-used by Residents

Community

Wealden Bus Alliances Cllr Barry Marlowe left - CCB volunteers middle and right 

A special New Year’s Day bus service for Hailsham residents was used by more than 100 people, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Town Council working in partnership with local bus companies.

Bus operator Cuckmere Buses (formerly Cuckmere Community Bus) stepped in to fill a big gap in the seasonal timetables over the festive break by operating a special bus service from Heathfield to Eastbourne via Hailsham and Polegate on New Year’s Day.

Cuckmere Buses, which is run entirely by volunteers was concerned that Hailsham would be left without any public transport on 1st January, 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 sixth consecutive year that Cuckmere Buses has run this special bus service part-underwritten by Hailsham Town Council, Polegate Town Council and Heathfield & Waldron Parish Council.

Barry Marlowe, who is lead member of Wealden Bus Alliance, was delighted to hear about the positive feedback received from passengers who used the service last year, expressing their delight and thanks to the volunteer drivers.

He said: “Christmas and New Year can be a very busy and expensive time of year for many people. Cuckmere Buses is pleased to be playing its part by offering great value travel on New Year’s Day, making it easier for people to visit family and friends.”

“I’m pleased that Hailsham Town Council has supported Cuckmere Buses once again in enabling this vital service, and they will continue to support them and other local bus operators to make service improvements in the future, specifically for those who cannot access the conventional public transport network.”

Full details of the Cuckmere Buses service are available at www.cuckmerebuses.org.uk and via the Wealden Bus Alliance’s website: www.wealdenbus.org.uk.

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 John on 07802 305155.

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Enquiries relating to this media release

Terry Hall, Communications Officer
Hailsham Town Council, Market Street, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 2AE
Telephone: 01323 841702 | Email: terry.hall@hailsham-tc.gov.uk