Public Transport
BUS SERVICES IN NORTH HORSHAM
The route and frequency of Arriva bus route 51 serving the North Heath Area of the Parish has been changed.
The Arriva bus company have advised that this particular service will now run twice and hour with one journey using the existing route between the Town Centre and North Heath via the station and Hurst Road. The other journey will use North Parade, Rushams Road, Greenway, Merryfield Drive, Redford Avenue, Warnham Road (returning, after Rushams Road, via the Bishopric)
Arriva have also advised of changes to Service 50 Cranleigh to Horsham, Service 63 Guildford-Cranleigh-Horsham and Service 93 The Common – Horsham (this section being replaced by revised service 51).
The Parish Council has a supply of the new timetable for route 51 which, along with that for route 98, (Roffey to Southwater) are available from the Parish Office at the Millennium Hall Roffey. Copies of bus timetables are also held by the District Council Offices at Park North, North Street. Alternatively details for Arriva Services can be obtained from the Arriva website, www.arrivabus.co.uk or by calling 0870 608 2 608 (7.00 am to 9.00 pm)
A combined timetable will also be available at the Parish office covering Metrobus Service 23 (Crawley-Roffey-Horsham-Worthing) and service 24 (Crawley-Colgate-Roffey-Horsham). The Website for Metrobus is www.metrobus.co.uk and the local contact telephone number is 01293 449191.
More information on local travel also can be obtained through:-
“Traveline” is a service, supported by West Sussex County Council and provides impartial journey planning information about all public transport services - buses, coaches, trains, ferries, trams, metro and underground - throughout England, Wales and Scotland.
COMMUNITY TRANSPORT SERVICES
HORSHAM AREA COMMUNITY CAR SCHEME - HACCS
The Horsham Area Community Car Scheme has been operating for several years and is run by volunteer drivers using their own cars. The Scheme is for people who, due to a disability or frailty, are unable to use public transport but who can still get into a car.
The service operates from door to door and covers a wide area, not only enabling its clients to undertake shopping trips, visits to the doctor, dentist or hospital, but also providing opportunities to visit friends or even take a holiday.
A specially adapted Disabled Person Vehicle is also available for people who are confined to a wheelchair.
Clients must first register with the Scheme but this is a simple procedure and after this, all that needs to be done to book a journey is to call:
01403 250202
Between 9am and 12 noon, Monday to Friday. Usually, at least two clear days notice is requested but trips can be booked up to seven days in advance.
The fare structure is £2 for the first mile and 60p per mile thereafter.
Parish Councillor Ray Turner is a volunteer driver for the scheme and says that one of the most rewarding aspects of driving for the scheme is the gratitude shown by the clients, who appreciate the service so much. Ray also says that many people like to chat with the drivers and that this makes the time spent driving pass very quickly.
The Scheme is always looking for more volunteer drivers and anyone who has some time to spare, be it only half a day a week, would be welcomed on the Scheme.
Any prospective volunteers should ring the HACCS Office in Horsham on 01403 250202
HORSHAM DIAL-A-RIDE SERVICE
From 30th January 2006, Horsham Dial-a-Ride is switching to a new method of booking journeys which it is hoped will make the service even more user-friendly.
Calls for the Dial-a-Ride service are now being dealt with by the Midhurst Travel Centre and users will need to dial a new number - 01730 815518 - to book their journey.
“Moving to the Travel Centre will make booking journeys easier as the centre will be open to receive calls for longer hours than the present system. Bookings can be made anytime between 8am and 5pm on Mondays to Fridays and between 8am to 12 noon on Saturdays. This offers a much better service to our customers” commented Roger Fallows, Horsham Dial-a-Ride Co-ordinator.
The change will also mean that Mr Fellows will have more time to develop the service offered by Horsham Dial-a-Ride and to arrange more social events and excursions.
The change to the booking system is just one of the improvements that has been made to the Horsham Dial-a-Ride service in recent months and which have led to a 120% increase in the number of single passenger journeys made over the last six months.
Horsham Dial-a-Ride is operated by the British Red Cross in partnership with Horsham District Council and West Sussex County Council.
To book a journey, please telephone 01730 815518 or for more information about Horsham Dial-a-Ride, please call 01403 754206.
There are a number of other community transport schemes that also operate across the District. Information about these schems has been collated in a new one-stop leaflet, which is available by contacting the District Council on 01403 215137 or emailing community.development@horsham.gov.uk
USEFUL TRANSPORT WEB SITES
National Rail
For Rail travel, including timetables and fares or telephone – 08457 484950
National Express
For Coach travel, including timetables and fares or telephone – 08705 808080 (Bookings)
BAA – British Airports Authority
For Air travel arrivals and departures at all UK airports or telephone - 0207 834 9449
Highways Agency
For information about road works on your car journey or telephone – 08700 660115 (Real Time Travel) or 08457 504030 (Information Line)
