The Big Lemon, Brighton

[wirewiper]

Community Interest Company (CIC) The Big Lemon operated 100% of its services without emissions on Thursday 16th June, which also happened to be World Clean Air Day. 

The Big Lemon operates five buses on three Monday-Saturday routes in Brighton & Hove, all under contract to the City Council, plus one Saturday early morning journey on Brighton & Hove Buses route 21A and Sunday route 57 (also contracted) which requires two buses and covers most of routes 47 and 52.

The company also has a coach hire arm, now known as Brighton Horizon Coaches. 

Routes are:

16 - Portslade & Hangleton (1 bus - apparently the regular driver is called Mark!)
47 - East Saltdean - Brighton - West Hove Sainsbury's
52 - Woodingdean - Brighton - Patcham
57 (Sundays) - Saltdean - Brighton Station

Big Lemon also operates the 06.00 Whitehawk Bus Garage - Brighton Station route 21A journey on Saturday mornings. 


For more information about this interesting company which has a strong focus on Green issues (its director was a Green councillor for Brighton & Hove at one time): thebiglemon.com/

[joefrombow]

Saw two Optare solo looking "Big Lemon" buses last week on the A13 at River Road heading towards London this must be them

[Damo]

The Big Lemon also acquired much of the Seaford & District business last year - the coaching side being merged with their own to form Brighton Horizon, but the school bus side retaining the Seaford & District name and livery. Seaford & District operate (according to BusTimes.org):

• 142: Polegate - Hailsham - Ringmer King's Academy - Lewes
• 149: Scaynes Hill - Haywards Heath - Chailey School
• 150: Withyham - Chailey School
• 227: Five Ashes - Argos Hill - Rotherfield - Crowborough
• 265: Heathfield - Heathfield Community College
• 266: Hellingly - Heathfield Community College
• 267: Hailsham - Heathfield Community College
• 268: Boreham Street - Heathfield Community College
• 269: Hailsham - Heathfield Community College
• 318: Heathfield - Uckfield - Chiddingly - Ringmer King's Academy
• 331: Heathfield - Etchingham - Heathfield - Uckfield Community College
• 468: Ditchling - Westmeston - Plumpton - Chailey School
  

The website (https://seafordanddistrict.com) lists several others, but these are showing up as with other operators so not sure whether BusTimes or the S&D website is the most up-to-date!

David Mulpeter, the founder of Seaford and District, retained the Eastbourne Sightseeing service and heritage vehicle hire parts of the business though and now trades as Seven Sisters Bus & Coach. www.ssbusandcoach.co.uk/