The Big Lemon
UK, Bristol | |
| Fuel type | Biodiesel, Solar Powered Electric |
|---|---|
| Website | www.thebiglemon.com |
The Big Lemon
History
The Big Lemon was founded by Tom Druitt in 2007.[2] After gaining an operator licence, the first public transport route was launched on 1 September 2007. Route 42X originally operated from Brighton Station to Falmer Station, with hopes to expand the operation with more routes. After lower than expected passenger numbers, and competition from Brighton & Hove, the company scaled down the level of service, re-launching it in January 2008,[3] and to reconsider its operating model. From 7 to 29 January 2008, the service operated on a reduced frequency, ending once the original route registration expired after the mandated period.
Route 42/42A/N42 was The Big Lemon's first public bus service, originating from its service 42X. Service 42 operated from
Route 43 ran from September 2010 - January 2011, focusing on student trade and operating from Old Steine during the day and
Route 44 was introduced at the same time as route 43 in September 2010, operating from
In September 2012 The Big Lemon successfully tendered to operate route 52 between Brighton Marina and Woodingdean which also goes to Ovingdean under contract to Brighton & Hove City Council.[4]
On 17 March 2017, it was announced that
On 17 September 2017 , The Big Lemon took over routes 16, between Portslade and Hangleton, 47, between Brighton station and East Saltdean, 56, between Knoll estate and Patcham , 57, between Brighton station and East Saltdean and 66 which goes in a circular route around Portslade and Hangleton.[7] Additionally, one Saturday morning journey on Brighton & Hove's route 21A, from Goldstone Valley to Brighton Marina, has been operated by the Big Lemon since 16th September 2018. From 29 April 2019, Route 66 was withdrawn and incorporated into route 47,[8] and Route 56 was replaced with an extension to Routes 47 and 52.[9]
Seaford & District
The Big Lemon had partnered up with Lewes-based Seaford and District to create a coach company called "Brighton Horizon Coaches" on 4 August 2020. Together they had set up a fleet of 11 coaches.[10]
Five months later, on the 9 January 2021, Seaford and District was acquired by The Big Lemon, with Ryan Wrotny taking over management of the company. David Mulpeter, Seaford & District's Managing Director, was said to be taking his first steps into retirement following 10 and a half years running the company since its founding in 2010. The operating licences, however, will remain separate.[11]
Expansion into the West of England
In September 2022, following the closure of the
Services
As of January 2021, The Big Lemon operate 14 services (7 in Brighton, 4 in Bristol, 3 in Bath). Additionally, they operate shuttle buses for Brighton Metropolitan College and Legal & General[7] Coaches ran on biodiesel that was refined from waste cooking oil until 2017.[16] Buses run on diesel and batteries charged via mix of solar power and the main grid.
Fleet
As of April 2020, The Big Lemon has a fleet of 19 vehicles, including 3 minibuses and 16 regular buses. The minibuses don't operate regular bus routes, rather operating on the Legal & General and Brighton Metropolitan College shuttles.
See also
References
- ^ Companies House extract company no 6075786 The Big Lemon CIC
- ^ Bright bid for bus franchise The Argus 16 October 2008
- ^ Lemon buses squeezed off road The Argus 3 December 2007
- ^ Council funded bus services just the ticket Brighton & Hove City Council
- ^ "Norman Baker joins The Big Lemon as Managing Director for Brighton and Hove". The Big Lemon. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
- ^ "Norman Baker says goodbye to The Big Lemon". Sussex Express. 8 June 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
- ^ a b "Bus Services". The Big Lemon. 8 November 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
- ^ "Route 66". thebiglemon.com. 14 September 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- ^ "Route 56". thebiglemon.com. 14 September 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- ^ "Brighton bus operator links with Seaford firm to create new coach company". Brighton and Hove News. 4 August 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- ^ Druitt, Tom (9 January 2021). "Seaford & District joins The Big Lemon family". thebiglemon.com. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- ^ "We're coming to Bristol!". The Big Lemon. 15 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- ^ "Scrapped Bristol community bus routes set to be saved by Brighton operator". www.bristolworld.com. 16 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- ^ Pipe, Ellie (14 September 2022). "The Bristol bus services set to be saved". Bristol 24/7. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- ^ "We're coming to Bath!". The Big Lemon. 20 November 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
- ^ Biodiesel from Waste Cooking Oil The Big Lemon
External links
Media related to The Big Lemon (bus company) at Wikimedia Commons- Company website
