So that's it! The long awaited changes to the coaster, now the biggest change to the service in its history.

 

The Headlines:

From Sunday 19th July 2026

- 11X withdrawn

- 12 replaces 12A

- Peak only Avis Way removed

- 12X & 13X increased 

- New 'X' stops at Beacon Road and Slindon Avenue

- 14 increased and extended to Newhaven

- 14A, 14B & 14C all withdrawn

- 23 extended to Peacehaven 

- N12 & N14 to Hourly

- No change to 76A, 492 or 494

 

12 routes becomes 8 (retaining school routes)

 

Simplicity is key 

Less is more with these bold changes, desinged to better utilise the buses on coaster, the service to commutors and tourists and massive simplification of group routes 12 & 14. These are long standing aspirations and answers a number of compalints and comments from regular bus users in the key areas.

I will be the first to point out that some of these changes will not be welcomed by everyone.

 

The coaster complex

The coaster routes are complicated - fact! Especially group route 14. Removing A, B and C is the anitdote to this.

Route 23 replacing route 14B & 14C was a Brighton Buswatch suggestion and gets a full-time connection to Marina (& ASDA) and RSCH, whilst linking to Queen's Park, Lewes Road (& Sainsbury's) and Universities.

It's not clear if 23 will become a coaster or Coaster Local route or neither.

 

Simplification station

The 12X now becomes more a mass rapid trasit than an express service. And like any good railway line, you now have a fast service (12X) and a slow 'all stopping' service (12).

Serving Chyngton (hopefully without the 'Estate' suffex) is being done the same way. Running all Brighton buses anti-clockwise around the loop with Eastbourne buses clockwise as now. As Brighton is the dominant destination, it gets double the buses (every 15 minutes). A 30 minutes service is to/from Eastbourne.

Without a suitable turning point at Millburg Road, terminating Chyngton buses, loop as 12A's always have. So, quite simple - '12 Chyngton' loops via Sutton Corner '12 Eastbourne' don't. 

This does mean a new all day local service for passengers at Sutton Corner and Manor Road towards Brighton from the opposite side, save for the minutes extra around Chyngton. For the majority of the day this is an improvement. If you have a bus pass or NetworkSAVER, simply catch 12X from the correct side and change at Seaford Library.

Bonfire nights and shuttle buses should be fun!

 

The Go-merry-round

So how do you serve Retail Park and Paradise Park on the same route?

Westbound - after coming down A26, turn on the slip road to McRoundabout, then stop at Retail Park. New road is now missed - no biggie (unless you come out of LIDL).

Eastbound buses need to leave the station, go to McRoundabout, spin on it, stop at Retail park and back, then New Road.

It's acknowledged that the crossing (now caught three times both ways) and traffic in this area will have a significant impact on journey times. Then again, how better to identify the issues here?

Question is, where are drivers changing? And we'll assume the 'New Road' shelter is for the drivers?

When buses are in pairs - don't be surprised if drivers do some jiggery pokery and check who wants Retail Park!

Retail Park (westbound - McDonald's side) will be used both ways with hopefully a shelter and other improvements. The recently moved one opposite is used only by route 14 & 145.

 

Sainsbury's and Avis Way

Route 14 will replace 14C between Peacehaven and Newhaven.

There are more buses, especially on Sunday. You could argue the significance of the number. This is the biggest improvement for some and by far the most requsted change of all! This being achieved by livening up 'dead runs' to and from Newhaven depot. The work for this has been intensive and supported fully by TiNLD and Buswatch.

Avis Way is being removed altogether. One of key complaints was that buses served Avis Way when most people wanted Denton, South Heighton and Paradise Park (espacally workers). Analysis by Brighton & Hove supported this, with a veiw to make changes 'for the many'. It has been suggested route 145 replaces it westbound between Denton Drive and Sainsbury's (following loss of Denton Corner).

Route 12 will continue to replace service 92 from Telscombe Cliffs via North Peacehaven and now Paradise Park to Chyngton.

 

Knightrider 

Then we have the long standing change to the night routes.

An hourly service is being offered on both N12 & N14, alongside new or improved N1, N29, N48 & 500. The night time economy with late / early shift workers, hospital trips and airport runs is aided by a consistent 7 day service. I note comments already regarding an Eastbourne night service.

Both routes will retain the 'N' prefix due to ticketing restrictions.

 

Increasing the load

Stay with me here! There is no loss of the number of buses east of Seaford.

The frequency ratio Brighton - Seaford 12 to 12X will be 15:12 (9 bph). Currently its 10:15 (at 10 bph) 12/12A to 12X.

Beyond Seaford it's 30:12 - 12 to 12X. With both buses serving all stops at 7 bph. This means no loss to services along here. After Exceat works this should increase.

There was an argument to remove the likes of Gayles Farm, Halfway Cottages and Youth Hostel from the 12X. This would make the route more attractive with less calling points - but with gives a 30 minute service here, is it justified as few stop anyway?

 

12

A 15 minutes frequency and loss of 2 bph between Brighton and Seaford. Every 2nd bus carries on to Eastbourne. The reallocation in Chyngton give the same number of buses but operate in different directions.

Paradise Park and Retail Park get one extra bus an hour both ways.

Time will tell if this has a significant impact west of Seaford, suffice to say Seahaven Bay, Newhaven Maina, and Gibbon Road all need more buses!

 

12X

An increase of one bus an hour and all day running will mean more fast and direct buses to Brighton.

Slindon Avenue has been added to the 12X. This is to allow the rather empty car park at Piddinghoe Avenue to be used as a Park & Ride.

Beacon Road has been included, but absolutely get the desire to stop 12X at The Fairway both way and not Elim Church westbound.

 

Briging the gap

It is noted the smaller but not insignificant loss of a direct link between Newhaven and RSCH. 11X will be addressed at a later date.

The investment into these changes (in the Millions) can only go so far. It is considered that a long Exceat closure will decimate the service, reduce direct access to Seven Sisters and need time for tourists to be attracted back.

This may only be Part 1 of improvements. Part 2 may see even more 12X's and other changes. These can only really be done when Exceat Bridge is complete.

Essentially, if you want a ratio of 10:10 or 12 bph (10:20 or 3 bph Chyn-Ebn) post Exceat, buses Newhaven to RSCH or more buses up to Seaside Tesco - then absolutely keep pushing for it and use these buses to their fullest!