TRANSPORT
For details of new community service for residents of Ashurst Wood for travel to medical and dental appointments Click here
BUS and TRAIN SERVICES
TIMETABLE: Click here for details of bus and train connections to and from Ashurst Wood from 11th December 2011.
The Parish Council has created its own summary timetable showing Monday to Friday and weekend bus services between Forest Row, Ashurst Wood and East Grinstead station, together with train connections between East Grinstead and East Croydon, Clapham Junction and London (see link above). We would welcome comments and suggestions on how we could improve this information in future.
Metrobus operates all bus routes through Ashurst Wood except the 261 (Uckfield – East Grinstead), and service information is available at their website www.metrobus.co.uk/. The 261 is operated by Countryliner (www.countryliner-coaches.co.uk/). Train services from East Grinstead are operated by Southern (www.southernrailway.com/).
Of the routes that serve Ashurst Wood, only the 291 (Tunbridge Wells – Crawley) operates on a commercial basis (i.e. not funded by a County Council), and then only for part of its route and some of its journeys. The 270 (Haywards Heath – East Grinstead) and 261 operate under contract respectively to West and East Sussex CCs. Contracts for these routes are let to an Operator for a fixed period after which they are re-tendered. When this happens, the Parish Council is invited to give comments on the service specifications. In the past we have commented about gaps in the service, connections with trains, use by school/college students and publicity, and we continue to press for improvements in these and other areas. We have contributed to consultations on transport strategies and other related matters, and we also have points of contact with each of the Operators. Click here for our consultation response to the changes proposed by West Sussex for 2011/12.
Although the Parish Council has not been able to provide real-time information displays at bus stops in the village, this information is available for Metrobus services from their website or (for mobile users) from www.mytraveline.mobi/.
Since July 2009 there are no through journeys to or from Eastbourne; changing at Uckfield is necessary and connections are not guaranteed although a northbound 261 will wait up to 5 minutes for a late running bus from Eastbourne.
Metrobus operates a “flat fare” scheme in the East Grinstead area of £1.60 adult single, £2.60 return. This includes Ashurst Wood and extends as far as Felbridge. Weekly tickets are also available. Under 16s and 3in1 student cardholders travel at half this rate and Under 16 3in1 cardholders travel at quarter rate. Return tickets issued on one route are accepted for a return journey on other services, including the 261. Fares on the 261 are slightly cheaper.
A “Plusbus” scheme operates in the East Grinstead area including Ashurst Wood. This enables rail travellers to add local Metrobus services to their train ticket for a reduced amount compared with buying separate bus and train tickets. “Plusbus” tickets are available for one day or for various lengths of season ticket, and have to be purchased from a rail station. For season ticket holders there are potential savings over parking charges. Full details can be found on the Southern and Metrobus websites, or on www.plusbus.info/.
Timetable change history:
December 2011 – Minor changes to some train times
October 2011 – Some early morning trains leave E Grinstead three minutes earlier (for the leaf fall season)
September 2011 – New Sunday train departure times from Victoria and new bus times on all routes
May 2011 – New Sunday train times and other minor alterations
December 2010 – New Sunday train times and new 261 bus times
September 2010 – New Sunday train departure times from Victoria
May 2010 - Bus times (261, 270 and 291) revised
January 2010 – Bus fares revised
December 2009 – Very minor changes times of trains and of the last 261 journey of the day in each direction
August 2009 – Uckfield route alterations
May 2009 – Minor changes to train times. Plusbus introduced
March 2009 – Eastbourne/Uckfield route alterations
February 2009 – Bus fares revised
December 2008 – New train times
May 2008 – New bus times. Weekend times shown for first time
March 2008 – First edition published on AWPC website
Please contact the Parish Clerk if you would like to comment on or receive information about bus services in the area, or would like a Metrobus timetable booklet (also available free from the News Store).