Lifeline for Breeze Buses
Buses will continue to breeze up to the Downs in 2024 after agreeing new funding.
Following discussions with the Department for Transport (DfT), we have been given the green light to use money from our Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) to fund the Breeze up to the Downs 77 and 79 services for the year ahead.
Working with operator Brighton & Hove Buses, this will support both services for the next 12 months and will also allow us to better advertise and promote them.
The 77 is a 30-minute bus ride from Brighton city centre to Devil’s Dyke, a gateway to the stunning South Downs National Park while the 79 takes passengers all the way to Ditchling Beacon.
Both services run every Saturday, Sunday and bank holiday (except 25 December) throughout the year.
Find out more about the Breeze Buses.

Picture: The 77 Breeze Bus
Listening to residents
Councillor Trevor Muten, Chair of the Transport and Sustainability committee said: “This is great news and I’m thankful we’ve been able to work with the Department for Transport to use money from the Bus Service Improvement Plan to run and promote these services for another 12 months.
“I’d also like to thank all those who’ve contacted me about these services in recent weeks. We’ve listened carefully to what residents have to say and worked hard to protect council services whilst finding another way to fund Breeze up to the Downs buses.
“This is a lifeline. We have one year more of funding these services and they can only continue beyond that if they’re commercially viable.
“We will be monitoring the passenger numbers. May I humbly and respectfully ask all who signed a petition to save these services to take the bus to the top of the Downs and help make them economically viable and sustainable.”
Not to be missed
Nick Hill, Commercial Director, Brighton & Hove Buses said “It’s great news that BSIP funding will enable Breeze routes to continue to operate a full service. Routes 77, 78 & 79 are a great way to access the stunning South Downs at Devils Dyke, Ditchling and Stanmer Park.
“With fares currently just £2 per trip, there’s no better way to get out and explore the countryside. The view from the top deck of the bus is not to be missed!”
Bus Service Improvement Plan
In March 2021, the government asked local councils, working with bus operators, to produce an ambitious Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).
The city’s BSIP was approved by members of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability committee in September 2021 and we were awarded £27.9m by the Department for Transport to implement our BSIP in spring of 2022.
Our BSIP sets out targets for things like journey times, reliability, passenger growth and customer satisfaction. Actions in other areas such as zero emissions vehicles will also be monitored and reported against.