September Service Updates

9 months ago Wed 3rd Sep 2025

On Sunday 28th September we are implementing improvements to our services, including the introduction of new express route 3X and the return of express route 25X.

Below is a summary of the main changes coming on Sunday 28th September. Simply click on the link in the table below for updated timetables or visit our online journey planner before you travel.

RouteSummary
3X

New limited stop express service introduced between Hangleton and Falmer, Brighton University via Hove Station, Brighton Station and Lewes Road. Operating up to every 15 minutes.

See new route map here, route 3X will only stop at the stops shown.

Route 3X is supported by funding from the Brighton & Hove Bus Service Improvement Plan.

5BAdditional Monday to Friday morning peak journeys will operate from Hangleton to Hollingbury, along with schooldays-only morning peak journeys between Hove Town Hall and Varndean College/Hollingbury, replacing some of the morning journeys on route 55. A schooldays-only afternoon journey will run between Varndean College and Churchill Square, replacing the current route 55 service.
13XWinter timetable will operate on Sundays and Public Holidays operating every 30 minutes, a doubling of the previous winter service level. Services will terminate at Cornfield Road in Eastbourne, not serving Eastbourne Pier.
14/14CMinor timetable update on some Monday to Friday morning journeys to improve reliability.
23

Extended to Woodingdean, providing new links to Falmer, Lewes Road, Queens Park and Brighton Marina. See map of the revised route here.

Journeys from Woodingdean to Lewes and beyond can be made by changing to routes 28, 29, 29A & 29B at Falmer Station, running up to every 10 minutes.

Earlier journeys added at weekends.

Will serve Brighton University and Falmer Station in Falmer and will no longer serve University of Sussex campus. A much more frequent service will operate to Northfield Crescent and East Slope on the revised route 25.

At school times, journeys on route 23 will be diverted via Wilson Avenue, Vines Cross Road, Swanborough Drive, Swanborough Place (AM only), Whitehawk Way and Whitehawk Road. This is to provide a new school link between Whitehawk and BACA.

This improvement is supported by funding from the Brighton & Hove Bus Service Improvement Plan.

25

Will operate at all times via Northfield Crescent and East Slope at the University of Sussex, replacing route 23 but at a much higher frequency with direct links to the city centre.

Will no longer serve Brighton University in Falmer, which will instead be served by the new express routes 3X and 25X. This will enable a much faster and direct journey from the University of Sussex to the city centre.

See map of the revised route here.

New express route 25X will also operate between both university campuses in Falmer and Old Steine - see below.

25X

New limited stop express route introduced between Old Steine and both university campuses in Falmer, operating every 30 minutes on Monday to Friday daytimes during Term Time only.

See map of the revised route here, route 25X will only stop at the stops shown.

N25Term Time timetables have been introduced on Monday to Saturday nights with increased frequencies of every 11-12 minutes. Route N25 has been withdrawn between Varley Park and Hollingbury ASDA roundabout due to low passenger usage and to speed up passenger journeys, an alternative service to Hollingbury is provided by the N5.
54

Following Stagecoach’s announcement that they will be withdrawing route 54, Brighton & Hove Buses will take over this service and operate it under the Regency brand from 21st September 2025.

The route links Eastbourne, Polegate, Hailsham, Golden Cross, East Hoathly, Halland and Uckfield. The route will remain the same as at present except in north Hailsham where it will run along London Road and will not serve Battle Road and Hawkswood Road (route 28 will continue to serve these roads every 30 minutes).

Evening and Sunday service provided with funding from UK Government, in response to East Sussex Bus Service Improvement Plan.

See new route map here.

55

All morning journeys on route 55 will be withdrawn and replaced by additional journeys on the 5B, the new 3X and extended 98. 

The schooldays-only afternoon journey from Varndean College to Imperial Arcade will now operate as route 5B, while the Portslade Academy to Brighton service will remain as route 55 but will terminate at Clock Tower.

59The morning journey will now terminate at North Street.
72Route 72 will continue to follow the current timetable, with two buses operating on the main journeys to meet demand.
77Re-introduction of the winter timetable.
78Re-introduction of the winter timetable.
79Re-introduction of the winter timetable.
94BA brand-new school bus service linking Whitehawk, Manor Hill and Elm Grove with Varndean School and Dorothy Stringer School. The service will operate on schooldays only, providing new and essential connections for students from 3rd September 2025.
98Extended via Hangleton, Brighton Station, St Peters Church and London Road Shops to Varndean College, providing an additional journey to Dorothy Stringer School and Varndean College, operating on schooldays only.