Bus Service Improvement Plan

1 Background

Bus travel plays an important role in the lives of many of our residents.

The plan below sets out the ways in which we can help to sustain and improve local bus and community transport services in the years ahead.

The programme outlines:

the key challenges we face, such as influencing travel behaviour and removing the barriers to improving bus services
new opportunities to work with bus companies and other partner organisations to help us achieve this

Enhanced Partnership

The Bus Services Act 2017 updated the Transport Act 2000 to provide the County Council with powers to improve bus provision through an Enhanced Partnership with operators of local bus services.

West Sussex County Council (WSCC) formed an Enhanced Partnership with local bus operators in 2021. The partnership was established to deliver countywide bus service recovery and improvements in line with the Bus Back Better National Bus Strategy for England. A number of both capital and revenue schemes were included in a spending plan agreed by the Department for Transport.

2 Our aim

Enhanced Partnership (EP) aims to:

deliver an improved bus offer in West Sussex
contribute to the ambitions set out in the West Sussex Transport Plan
deliver Climate Change Strategy

The partnership developed the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) to improve bus services in West Sussex and reverse the Covid related shift in journeys away from public transport and encourage passengers back to bus travel.

Following submission of the BSIP in October 2021, Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed in April 2022 that the council be provided with £17,401,596 to support delivery of the BSIP. An additional £2,200,000 was awarded in 2023 and £9,252,990 in 2025.

3 What we are delivering

Long term improvements

Capital funding covers the long-term investments in infrastructure and assets listed below.

Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) screens

421 RTPI screens have been installed across the county since January 2024. A further 128 screens will be installed in 2025 to 2026.

Traffic Light Priority

Bus priority has been introduced at 24 junctions to improve journey times. A further 22 junctions will be upgraded with bus priority in 2025 to 2026.

Bus Lanes

We have introduced over 1,100 metres of bus lane with further locations identified. This includes the completion of the eastbound bus lane in Manor Royal, Crawley.

Western Boulevard scheme

Crawley Borough Council led the delivery of the Western Boulevard scheme. This gives dedicated bus lanes on The Boulevard (west) at the junction with The Broadway, Crawley and bus priority at adjacent signal locations.

Bus Stop Improvements

Over 200 bus stops across West Sussex have already been improved.

Improvements at further locations are currently being designed with the aim to construct in 2026 to 2027.

Hydrogen Fastway Running Improvements

Improvements to the Hydrogen Fastway Routes 10 and 20 in Crawley to improve transit speeds, accessibility and passenger satisfaction. Works include improved bus stops, surfacing and highway adjustments to reduce bus journey times.

Bus service and fares improvements

West Sussex County Council provides support to bus services that continue to recover following the pandemic. This support is in addition to the contracted bus services already in place.

The following initiatives are funded by a revenue grant.

16 to 20 bus saver

The introduction of a bus fare discount scheme for young people (16 to 20-year-olds) across the county. Find out more about the 16 to 20 bus saver.

500 bus route

A new service being run by Stagecoach South which commenced in July 2023. The route runs between Chichester, Shopwhyke, Tangmere, Fontwell, Barnham, Yapton and Littlehampton. In the first two years the service has carried over 750,000 passengers. See the Stagecoach website for the service 500 timetable.

Digital Demand Responsive Transport (DDRT)

These are pilot services to connect communities where regular bus routes and timetables don’t meet local needs. Find out more about Book-a-Bus.

Promoting benefits of bus travel

Encouraging existing, old and new users to travel by bus more often - see our Bus it! page.

Open the BSIP map browser

4 Supporting documents

The Enhanced Partnership Plan and scheme documents below apply to all local bus services within the county, unless specifically exempt under the terms of the Enhanced Partnership Scheme.

These documents have been consulted on and no subsequent amendments have been made. Copies of the documents in print or alternative formats can be provided by emailing transporthub@westsussex.gov.uk.