The Big Lemon has successfully bid for community route contracts from Brighton & Hove City Council, signalling the start of an expansion of its network.
The contract, which will last for four years with the option for the council to extend it by a further four years, will see The Big Lemon take on the 16, the 16a, the 47, the 56, the 56e and the 57, as well as maintaining its existing 52 route. The routes commenced under The Big Lemon’s operations on Sunday, September 17.
In order to cover the new routes, The Big Lemon has brought in red London double-decker buses – all Volvo B7TLs with a mixture of Plaxton President and Wrightbus Gemini bodywork. Norman Baker, Managing Director of The Big Lemon, told CBW: “In the very short-term, we’re going to have to use red London double-deckers for the first month or so, because that’s all we could really get hold of at short notice. Ensignbus has supplied these.
“This is temporary until we get the Enviro200s working on the routes. Gradually, the intention is that we will convert those to electric power. Our aim is to have an entirely electric fleet. The fact that we got money recently from the Department for Transport for three new electric buses will help that process along to add to the electric buses we already have in our depot. However, obviously this is a very sudden arrangement so we had to try to just deal with it as best we can.”
Norman told CBW that the procurement of these routes is the start of expanding The Big Lemon: “We’re moving from second gear to fourth gear. We will now be Brighton & Hove’s second biggest bus company, behind Brighton & Hove Buses.
“We’ve recruited eight extra drivers so far; we’re going places and we’re going there fast, and in an organised way.
“The future is bright; the future is Lemon.”
