Trains

In East Sussex rail services link all our main towns, bypassing bottlenecks and providing a fast, convenient service to locations further away.

The good news is that travelling by train really helps protect the environment. Research by The Carbon Trust has shown that for every passenger km travelled, trains emits 49g of damaging CO2 compared with 76g for buses and 109g for cars. http://www.thecarbontrust.co.uk

Most stations are conveniently close to main bus routes or have car parks close by, and because trains don’t get caught up in traffic you can just sit back and relax as you watch the countryside go by.

Typical journey times for train travel in East Sussex are faster than similar journeys by car. For example:

Eastbourne – Lewes: 20 minutes
Eastbourne – Hastings: 24 minutes
Lewes – East Croydon: 53 minutes
Hastings – London (Victoria): 93 minutes

Making the difference

Rail operators have invested millions of pounds to make train travel, from the time you enter the station to the time you get off the train at the end of your journey, a relaxing experience.

The days of the ‘slam’ door train, with uncomfortable seats and poor leg room have long gone. They have been replaced by clean, modern and quiet trains that provide a fast and efficient service with just over 90% of East Sussex services arriving on time (August 2005).

The new trains have air conditioning, onboard information and dedicated spaces for wheelchair users. For passengers with limited mobility trains throughout the County are now easier to access. On board ramps can be used by the train crews to assist access and on many trains mobility scooters are now accepted.

Fares

Special rail fares are available to holders of a Disabled Person’s Railcard. The booklet ‘Rail Travel for Disabled Passengers’ is available from all staffed stations and gives all the information needed to take advantage of these special fares. More information can be found at www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk

Younger passengers can get special fares with a Young Persons Rail Card. There are also special fares for older people.

If you don’t have to travel at peak times Off-Peak fares offer exceptional value. Other great fares are available for day travel, in some cases children can travel for just £1.00

Help in planning rail travel, to take advantage of the best fares and quickest routes, is available from all train operators – contact details are at the end of this leaflet.

Information

Up to date time table, booking and fares information is available from:

National Rail Enquiries
Tel: 0845 7 48 49 50
Website: www.nationalrail.co.uk
Textphone Service for the deaf or hard of hearing: 0845 6 05 06 00
Southern
Assisted Travel Line
Tel: 0800 138 1016
Fax: 0800 138 1017
Minicom/textphone: 0800 138 1018
Bookings made will, if requested, be followed up by phone to see how the journey went.
Station facilities and accessibility information;
Customer Services
Tel: 08451 27 29 20
Website: www.southernrailway.com
South Eastern Trains
Tel: 0845 000 2222
Fax: 0845 678 6976
Textphone: 0845 678 6966
Travel Assistance for customers requiring additional assistance: 0845 000 2211
Rail Passengers Council
Freepost WA1521,
Warrington WA4 6GP
Tel:08453 022 022
Fax: 0845 850 1392
Textphone for the hearing impaired: 0845 850 1354