'Breeze Up To The Downs' After New Funding Announced For Brighton Buses

Brighton bus numbers 77 and 79 will continue to Breeze up to the Downs for the year ahead.

The announcement was made following a meting between the Department for Transport (DfT) and Brighton & Hove City Council, which was given the green light to use money from its Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).

Working with operator Brighton & Hove Buses, this will support both services for the next 12 months and will also allow the council to better advertise and promote them.

The 77 is a 30-minute bus ride from Brighton city centre to Devil’s Dyke, a gateway to the South Downs National Park while the 79 takes passengers all the way to Ditchling Beacon.

Both services run every Saturday, Sunday and bank holiday (except December 25) throughout the year. 

Listening to residents

Councillor Trevor Muten, Chair of the Transport and Sustainability committee said:

“This is great news and I’m thankful we’ve been able to work with the Department for Transport to use money from the Bus Service Improvement Plan to run and promote these services for another 12 months.

“I’d also like to thank all those who’ve contacted me about these services in recent weeks. We’ve listened carefully to what residents have to say and worked hard to protect council services whilst finding another way to fund Breeze up to the Downs buses.

“This is a lifeline. We have one year more of funding these services and they can only continue beyond that if they’re commercially viable. 

“We will be monitoring the passenger numbers. May I humbly and respectfully ask all who signed a petition to save these services to take the bus to the top of the Downs and help make them economically viable and sustainable.”

Not to be missed

Nick Hill, Commercial Director, Brighton & Hove Buses said:

“It’s great news that BSIP funding will enable Breeze routes to continue to operate a full service. Routes 77, 78 & 79 are a great way to access the stunning South Downs at Devils Dyke, Ditchling and Stanmer Park. 

“With fares currently just £2 per trip, there’s no better way to get out and explore the countryside. The view from the top deck of the bus is not to be missed!”

Bus Service Improvement Plan

In March 2021, the government asked local councils, working with bus operators, to produce an ambitious Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).

The city’s BSIP was approved by members of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability committee in September 2021 and was awarded £27.9m by the Department for Transport to implement our BSIP in spring of 2022.

The BSIP sets out targets for things like journey times, reliability, passenger growth and customer satisfaction. Actions in other areas such as zero emissions vehicles will also be monitored and reported against.