Surrey buses

County advice overview

Surrey has a range of bus operators with over 220 services operating in the county.

Most bus services are wheelchair accessible with low floors and ramps. 

The only exception is a small number of infrequent services operated by smaller vehicles. Arrangements should be made in advance if travelling with a wheelchair. You can discover these ‘not fully-accessible’ services within the area timetables on the Surrey County Council website.

In Surrey, there is no distinction between a request stop and a compulsory stop.  All passengers intending to board are advised to hail the bus. Likewise, bus operators are advised to pull into bus stops where they see a passenger, as some may have a visual impairment. 

Many Surrey bus stops operate Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI), displaying information for upcoming buses. You can also receive information by texting your bus stop code to 84268.

You can find information on bus operators, including contact details, via the Surrey County Council website.

Key tips 

If you have reduced mobility, or a disability, where possible plan your journey in advance. You may wish to consider: 

• Which mobility aids you will be travelling with. You should contact the provider if you are unsure whether you can travel with your scooter/wheelchair.
• If you are travelling with a scooter, have you applied for and received a Scooter Permit?
• If the destination stop is accessible, and any arrangements you need to make for onward travel.
• Most Surrey buses still accept cash as well as contactless. However, not all will provide change, for example, Metrobus, so check with the bus operator before travelling.
• Any changes to bus timetables or forthcoming roadworks that may affect a bus route can be found on the Surrey County Council website.

Operators

Stagecoach South

www.stagecoachbus.com

Metrobus

https://www.metrobus.co.uk

Arriva

https://www.arrivabus.co.uk

Guildford Park and Ride

You can park for free at four car parks in Guildford and take a bus into the town centre/Friary Shopping Centre.

Concessionary bus pass holders

• Senior concessionary bus holders can buy a Guildford Park and Ride concessionary day pass from the driver.
• Disabled concessionary bus pass holders can travel free after 9.30am, Monday to Friday, or can purchase the concessionary day return for £1.50 before 9.30am.
• Map of Park and Ride sites

In addition to commercial bus services, some areas have local community bus services:

Cobham Chatterbus

A not-for-profit service run by volunteers covering the Cobham area of Elmbridge.  Offers free travel for jobseeker travel cards. 

Contact info@chatterbus.org.uk or chatterbus.org.uk

Mole Valley Connect 

Mole Valley connect: on demand bus service

A demand/responsive bus without ramps operating in the North of Mole Valley. 

Operates Monday to Friday, 7.00am to 7.00pm and Saturday 8.00am to 6.00pm. 

You can book a week in advance or up to 30 minutes before you want to travel. 

Booking line: 0300 123 7751 (Open Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm)

The Mole Valley Connect can only wait one minute for a passenger pick up. For people with mobility issues, the community transport service is recommended: https://molevalleylife.co.uk/community-transport/

Buses to Hospitals 

Surrey County Council provides details of bus routes that stop at hospitals in Surrey. 

Help with Cost

Disabled Person’s Bus Pass

If you have a disability and are a Surrey resident, you may be eligible for a Disabled Person’s Bus Pass. You can apply online or via appointment at a Surrey Library.

Find out more on the Surrey County Council website.

Older Person’s Bus Pass 

If you are a Surrey resident and of state pension age or over, you can apply for an Older Person’s Bus Pass on the Surrey County Council website. 

The Disabled Person’s Bus Pass and Older Person’s Bus Pass are both valid for free travel between 9:30am and 11.00pm, Monday – Friday, and anytime on weekends and bank holidays.  

If you are unable to make an online application, or visit a library to apply, you can: 

Call 0300 200 1009 or text 07860 053465.

Write to: Free Bus Pass, Environment, Transport and Infrastructure, Quadrant Court, 35 Guildford Road, Woking GU22 7QQ. 

Job Centre Plus Travel Card Holders 

You may be able to claim half price on bus tickets, if you are looking for employment and are on certain benefits. For more information, visit the Stagecoach website.

Special assistance 

Passenger assistance cards can be issued by bus companies to show that a passenger may require extra support. For example: ‘I have difficulty speaking’, ‘I am hard of hearing’.

Download a Journey Assistance Card on the Arriva website.

Apply for a Journey Assistance card on the Stagecoach website.

Download a Helping Hand Card on the Metrobus website.

Travelling with mobility equipment

Most Surrey operators have low-floor accessible buses and ramps, with space for a wheelchair or small mobility scooter. You are advised to check directly with your operator before making a journey for the first time.

Metrobus, Arriva and Stagecoach have all signed up to the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) code of practice for the use of mobility scooters on buses. They will accept Class 2 Mobility scooters (not above 4mph) within the following dimensions:

• Length not exceeding: 1000mm
• Width not exceeding: 600mm
• Turning circle: within 1200mm.
• Some bus companies require a permit for your equipment, and will provide a suitability assessment.

Metrobus 

Can arrange to assess your Class 2 scooter, either at Crawley or Redhill bus station. If that is difficult for you, their accessibility team can provide a home assessment.

To arrange a home assessment, contact Metrobus:

01293 449191 or email feedback@metrobus.co.uk

Metrobus offers a wheelchair-accessible taxi guarantee service if the wheelchair user is unable to board a bus. 

Further information regarding mobility aids on Metrobus buses.

Arriva Buses 

Can arrange a permit for your equipment if it meets the right criteria. The assessment process can take four to six weeks. To arrange, contact: 0344 800 4411.

Stagecoach South   

Offer a wheelchair-accessible taxi guarantee service if the wheelchair user is unable to board a bus. For any travel queries, email: south.disabilityhelpdesk@stagecoachbus.com

Timetables and links

Surrey County Council provides a breakdown of town bus routes and maps showing where to board your bus.

Surrey County Council also provide bus timetables.

As well as bus companies like Arriva and Stagecoach having an online journey planner and app, UK Bus checker can help you plan journeys around Surrey.

The Bustimes.org website provides an overview of bus stops and bus routes in each Surrey ward. 

There are six printed timetables available at Surrey libraries and council offices for:

• Chertsey, Staines and Walton
• Woking
• Blackwater Valley
• Guildford, Godalming and Haslemere
• Banstead, Epsom, Dorking and Leatherhead
• Redhill, Horley and East Surrey.

If you cannot access a library, please call 03456 009 009 to receive a copy.