West Sussex buses

County advice overview

West Sussex has a range of bus operators providing services across the county, with some travelling into neighbouring East Sussex and Surrey.  

Most bus services in Surrey are accessible for wheelchairs with low floors and ramps.

Information regarding operators and fares can be found on the West Sussex 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.
• Buses in West Sussex accept contactless payment, except American Express on Compass Buses. If paying by cash, passengers are recommended to have the correct amount of money. Drivers cannot always provide change, so operators will issue a change voucher which can be put towards payment for a future journey.

Regional operators

Brighton & Hove

Services extend into Shoreham-by-Sea, Steyning and Worthing.

Brighton & Hove Buses website   
Contact: 01273 886200  
SMS for customers with hearing impairments: 07583 051915

Compass Bus

Run services throughout West Sussex.

Compass Travel website  
Contact: 01903 690025

Metrobus

Cover Crawley, Horley, Gatwick, Horsham, East Grinstead, and Mid Sussex. Services include the Fastway Service (Routes 10,20 and 100) which links Crawley and Gatwick rail stations, Horley and Gatwick, and Redhill and East Surrey hospital.

Metrobus – Buses across Sussex, Kent and Surrey 
Contact: 01293 449 191
Information regarding mobility equipment on Metrobus services can be found via this link.

Southdown Buses

Cover Crawley and East Grinstead into Surrey.

Southdown Buses website
Contact: 01342 719 619

Stagecoach

Cover Chichester, Worthing, Midhurst, and the South Coast.

Stagecoach website
Contact: 0345 241 8000

Help with cost 

Disabled Person’s Bus Pass

If you have a disability and are a West Sussex resident, you may be eligible to apply for a Disabled Person’s Bus Pass, either online or via the post. 

The Disabled Person’s Bus Pass can be used at any time in West Sussex. In other parts of England, it can be used between 09:30am – 11:00pm, Monday –Friday, and any time during weekends and bank holidays. You can use the pass any time on Transport for London Buses.

You can find information on the West Sussex County Council website.

For more information, contact: 033 022 26222 or email buspass@westsussex.gov.uk

If you need someone to travel with you, you may also be able to apply for a Companion Pass.

Older Person’s Bus Pass

If you have reached state pension age and are a West Sussex resident, you may be able to apply for an Older Person’s Bus Pass online or via the post. 

The Older Person’s Bus Pass can be used in West Sussex and other parts of England from 09:30am – 11:00pm, Monday – Friday, and any time during weekends and bank holidays. It can be used at any time on Transport for London Buses.

You can find information on the West Sussex County Council website.

For more information, contact: 033 022 26222 or buspass@westsussex.gov.uk

Job Centre Plus Travel Cards

Job Centre Plus Travel Card Holders are eligible for half price single and return tickets on Stagecoach buses through the ‘Back on Board’ scheme. Find further information via this link.

It is worth checking with individual bus operators for offers and discounts. The West Sussex County Council website also contains information regarding discounted travel. 

Special assistance

Passenger Assistance Cards or Helping Hands Cards are produced by bus companies for passengers who may need additional support. For example, “I have difficulty speaking” or “I am hard of hearing”.

You can apply for a Journey Assistance Card through Stagecoach using this link. 

The Metrobus Helping Hand Card can also be used on Brighton and Hove buses, and can be downloaded via this link.

Travelling with mobility equipment

Most West Sussex operators have low-floor accessible buses and ramps, with space for a wheelchair or small mobility scooter. You are advised to check with your operator in advance of travel.

Metrobus, Stagecoach South and Brighton & Hove have all signed up to the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) code of practice for the use of mobility scooters on buses.

This means these operators will accept Class 2 Mobility scooters (not above 4mph) within the following dimensions:

• Length Not Exceeding: 1000mm
• Width Not Exceeding: 600mm   
• Turning Circle of no more than 1200mm.

Mobility scooter permit

Some bus companies require a mobility scooter permit which can be issued following a suitability assessment.

Metrobus can arrange to assess your 4-mph scooter either at Crawley or Redhill bus station. If that is difficult, they can arrange a home assessment 

To arrange an assessment, contact: 01293 449191 or email feedback@metrobus.co.uk

You can find further information regarding mobility equipment on the Metrobus website.

Stagecoach South 

Details for mobility scooter users are available from the Stagecoach Disability Helpline which can also provide information regarding scooter approval and the issue of a permit for travel.

Contact: south.disabilityhelpdesk@stagecoachbus.com

Brighton & Hove

Can arrange to assess your 4-mph scooter either at their One stop Travel Shop in Brighton or their reception in Hove. If these locations are difficult for you to reach, contact the operator to see if an alternative can be arranged.

Contact: 01273 886 200 or email info@buses.co.uk 

Routes and timetable links

You can check individual bus operator’s websites for timetables and route planning or contact the information phone lines for help. 

The following websites can provide details for local and national bus travel:

• Traveline has a nationwide journey planner and bus timetables. 
• Surrey County Council provide an interactive map to help you find your nearest bus stop.  
• If you are comfortable using apps on your smartphones, the UK Bus checker can help you plan journeys around West Sussex.
• Additionally, the Bus Times website provides an overview of bus stops and bus routes in each West Sussex area.