Transport - BUS / TRAIN SERVICES
TIMETABLE: Click here for details of bus and train connections to and from Ashurst Wood from 23rd May 2010. For this issue, we have changed the format slightly, with all journeys in the same direction now appearing on the same page.
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 / London (see link above). We hope to expand this information in future and welcome comments/suggestions.
Metrobus operates all 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 261 (Uckfield – East Grinstead) and 270 (Haywards Heath – East Grinstead) operate under contract respectively to East and West 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 specifications. In the past we have commented 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.
Since July 2009 there are no longer any 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. Under 16s and 3in1 student cardholders travel at half this rate and Under 16 3in1 cardholders travel at quarter rate. Returns issued on one route are accepted for the return journey on other services, including the 261. On the 261 the single fare Ashurst Wood/East Grinstead is £1.90 and the return is £3.00.
A “Plusbus” scheme has been introduced 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/train tickets. They 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 as above, or on www.plusbus.info/.
Timetable change history:
May 2010 - Bus times (260, 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.