Free Bus Service To Support Businesses In Worthing This Festive Season

Tuesday, 29 November 2022 13:54

By Dominic Kureen @WriteOnDom

Secret Coach Park, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Christmas is nearly upon us and Worthing is getting in the spirit with a host of festive fun for all ages.

In a bid to support local businesses and shops, as well as promote sustainable travel, there will be a free festive bus service into the town centre, allowing residents to visit shops, bars, pubs and restaurants without using their car.

On Thursday (December 1), Compass Travel’s Number 7 service will be free between High Salvington - through Durrington and Tarring, the town centre and Broadwater - to Lyons Farm and back again, from 5.30pm to just after 10.30pm.

The service will also be free on the evenings of December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17.

The full route and timetable is available to view online.

Worthing Town Centre Initiative (TCI) — the business-led organisation which works to promote and support the heart of the town — is working in partnership with Worthing Borough Council to fund the free service.

Chris Chatfield, managing director of Compass Travel, said:

“Compass Travel is pleased to be working with the Council to provide a free evening bus service on certain dates leading up to Christmas.

“An hourly service will be provided on route 7 between High Salvington, Worthing town centre and Lyons Farm serving all the stops on the normal route.

"We hope this will enable members of the public to leave their car at home and take the free bus into Worthing without having to worry about traffic or parking.”

Thursday’s free service coincides with the launch of late night shopping and the TCI’s opening Christmas event.

The fun, which runs from 3pm till 7pm in Montague Street on Thursday, includes a market, music, a visit from Santa and an appearance from Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Titan the Robot.

A full list of the Christmas events being run throughout the month is available online.