Brighton launches affordable £1 bus fare scheme for Whitehawk residents
A new three-month pilot scheme will allow residents to travel on two bus routes for just £1 per journey from July 1.
Making travel affordable for local families
Brighton and Hove residents are set to benefit from a new £1 bus fare scheme launching this summer. The 'Whitehawk Link' will allow people to travel within a designated zone on the 1 and 21 bus services for just £1 per journey, with the three-month pilot launching on July 1.
The scheme is supported by Brighton and Hove City Council and funded through the Local Authority Bus Grant, demonstrating the council's commitment to reducing transport costs for local communities.
Councillor Trevor Muten, cabinet member for transport and city infrastructure, said the new scheme represents "a really positive step, making it easier and more affordable for people to get to work, GP and hospital appointments, access shops and services and stay connected."
"We know even short journeys can add up, so this will make a real difference to local families," he added.
Part of a broader transport investment
The Whitehawk Link is one of several initiatives the council is rolling out to improve accessibility across Brighton and Hove. The council is investing around £1.4 million from the Department for Transport's Local Authority Bus Grant in 2026/27 to make bus travel more accessible across the city.
Starting in September, a new pilot scheme will offer three months of free bus travel to care leavers aged 18 to 24, benefiting more than 200 young people.
Existing schemes supporting the community
The council has been working hard to ensure transport costs aren't a barrier to getting around. Currently, up to four children under the age of 19 can travel free with a fare-paying adult, resulting in approximately one million free journeys this year.
The council also continues to support the Breeze Up to the Downs services and ensures that in-person Travel Shop citySAVER tickets remain at the same price as online options.
Additionally, the council is spending more than £10 million on free travel for holders of Older and Disabled Person's Bus Passes, funded by surplus revenue from council fees and charges.
Getting the details
Full details of all fare schemes and routes are available on the Brighton and Hove Buses website, where residents can find out whether they fall within the Whitehawk Link zone and begin benefiting from the reduced fares.