Southern Transit managing director Neil Bird said the route was stopping due to the cost of a ticket machine upgrade, lockdown restrictions and ridership numbers. The service, which was in operation every Thursday, ran for the final time on January 28. The Upper Beeding resident said: “It’s a bit like taking the central line out the underground. “We don’t know how long these lockdowns are going on for. The route first launched in 2013 and caters to a range of customers, including concessionary passengers, which Southern Transit receives funding from the county council for. But Neil said West Sussex County Council is now stipulating he must install new ticket machines – at a cost of £8,000 – to help them monitor passenger movement and bus route use. And he said the cost of these is making the bus route unaffordable at the moment. The 38-year-old added: “If you [the council] support us with these ticket machines we can continue to prove a vital service. We need more accessible bus stops at the same time. “If they want to justify the investment in this equipment then they should be enhancing ridership.” Neil called for improvements to bus stops to make them easier to use for elderly or disabled people. A West Sussex County Council spokesman said: “Central Government has made it a requirement for bus operators to provide accurate, up-to-date information, including timetables, fares and real-time vehicle locations, so passengers can see if there are any delays to their service – please see for further information on these requirements for operators: Bus Open Data Service - GOV.UK “The Government’s Bus Open Data Service requires operators to use ticket machines that have Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) capability: this allows residents to see if their service is running on time, or whether it is delayed, through at stop Real Time Passenger Information, online solutions or through apps on their mobile device. “We run an annual programme of bus stop improvements based on suggestions made by the bus operators. Officers are always willing to discuss directly with bus operators any issues they may have with the highway, including the areas around bus stops. “We have been working closely with bus operators to keep services, including maintaining funding for contracted services and the free bus pass for eligible passengers, throughout the COVID-19 crisis.” Public Service Vehicle Open Data Regulations legally require bus operators to openly publish timetable, fares and location data to the Bus Open Data Service from 31 Dec 2020, according to the Department for Transport (DfT). The Bus Open Data Service was launched during January 2020. Since May 2020, the location data service has been available for operators to publish location data. Theteam offer extensive support to bus operators to openly publish their location data as do the ticket machine suppliers. The DfT said it was aware some operators don’t currently have ticket machines and can’t comply with the requirement, and it is considering options to support operators to comply with these specific requirements. Extensive support has been offered to the sector in the form of the Covid Bus Service Support Grant to support operators facing financial challenges during the pandemic, the DfT said. More information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-extends-coronavirus-support-for-buses-and-trams-total-funding-tops-700-million