Discovery Ticket in Southern England.

[ashworth]

I'm staying just south of London in a few weeks time and have been trying to find a map of the area covered by the Discovery Bus Ticket priced at £8.50 for one day. It is certainly valid for travel on almost all buses in Surrey and West Sussex and when I used it last year I had no problems on any buses in those two counties.

However it is also supposed to be valid throughout East Sussex and parts of Hampshire and I just wondered where it can be used in those two counties. I don't think there is too much of a problem in East Sussex but can it be used on Stagecoach in Eastbourne and Hastings because they have the alternative Explorer ticket. Also how far into Hampshire is the ticket accepted. For example could I travel from Guildford to Fareham via Winchester? I've searched the Internet and there does not seem to be any map or information available about the exact areas covered.

 

[mancnq]

You should be OK on those routes. Stagecoach's Discovery page doesn't rule out any particular routes.

The same info is provided by the South Downs National Park, who sponsor the ticket, and Surrey County Council.

In the list of excluded services, they do mention the Winchester Park & Ride, which I take as confirmation that it is valid on all normal Stagecoach services to and from Winchester and eastwards, which includes their routes to Guildford and Fareham.

 

[AB93]

Also how far into Hampshire is the ticket accepted. For example could I travel from Guildford to Fareham via Winchester?

Not after the end of August, as Stagecoach are axing the through Guildford - Winchester service.

 

[NorthernSpirit]

I've used one loads of times.

Rule of thumb is that the ticket is valid in the eastern part of Surrey, eastern part of Hampshire the entire lot of West Sussex including Brighton. What I did get told once were that Discovery tickets were not valid in East Sussex, so unless that's changed I don't know.

 

[ashworth]

I've used one loads of times.

Rule of thumb is that the ticket is valid in the eastern part of Surrey, eastern part of Hampshire the entire lot of West Sussex including Brighton. What I did get told once were that Discovery tickets were not valid in East Sussex, so unless that's changed I don't know.

I think I have sorted out which parts of East Hampshire they can be used in and I've never had any problems in all of Surrey, except that I know that they cant be used on services that are part of Transport for London.
Ive never had any problems using one in most of East Sussex and indeed on all the websites giving details about Discovery Tickets it states that they can be used throughout East Sussex. They can certainly be used on all Metro services in East Sussex and many others. It's just Stagecoach around Eastbourne, Bexhill and Hastings that I have my doubts about, but if not why does it state on all websites and leaflets that they can be used throughout East Sussex.

I've just found out from The Stagecoach East Sussex Website that Discovery Tickets are available on their buses which makes them valid throughout East Sussex as advertised. However, they do point out that their Explorer ticket is considerably cheaper.

 

[NorthernSpirit]

I think I have sorted out which parts of East Hampshire they can be used in and I've never had any problems in all of Surrey, except that I know that they cant be used on services that are part of Transport for London.
Ive never had any problems using one in most of East Sussex and indeed on all the websites giving details about Discovery Tickets it states that they can be used throughout East Sussex. They can certainly be used on all Metro services in East Sussex and many others. It's just Stagecoach around Eastbourne, Bexhill and Hastings that I have my doubts about, but if not why does it state on all websites and leaflets that they can be used throughout East Sussex.

I've just found out from The Stagecoach East Sussex Website that Discovery Tickets are available on their buses which makes them valid throughout East Sussex as advertised. However, they do point out that their Explorer ticket is considerably cheaper.

The Explorer ticket may only be valid on Stagecoach only, as when the original Explorer was issued it was £7.50.

In 2012/13 Stagecoach in the South Downs pulled out of the Explorer scheme (which I believe was organised by both West and East Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire Council Councils with the operators having some sort of mutual agreement over the acceptatance of such tickets) then in 2014, the Discovery ticket introduced at £8.50.

As far as I'm aware the Discovery ticket can be used on Cuckmere Buses but its best to ring them just to make sure.

 

[Hophead]

Responding to a question on their Facebook page, Metrobus have said the ticket will be valid in Kent & Medway from 6th September. You may want to confirm with your local operator.

 

[Hophead]

And now Brighton & Hove have helpfully listed all operators, as well as running a news article explaining the inclusion of Kent operators.

The following operators will start issuing and accepting Discovery tickets in Kent & Medway from 6 September:

• Arriva
• ASD Travel
• Autocar
• Chalkwell
• Farleigh Coaches
• Go Coach
• Nu-Venture
• Regent Coaches
• Seaford & District
• Stagecoach

Also accepted on all Kent County Council contracts.

 

[ashworth]

That's really good news and will be very useful when I'm next on holiday in the South East. It was especially difficult, if staying close to East Sussex/Kent border, to know which ticket was best to buy for a day out. Now you will be able to travel in all directions without worrying whether the ticket is valid or not.

Also the fact that The Discovery Ticket will be valid on most buses in Kent will be useful. Earlier this year, when staying in Sittingbourne, the Explorer Ticket was very restrictive not being accepted on commercial Chalkwell services. I do think £8.50 is a bit expensive, especially if I'm wanting to use such a ticket over a number of days, but I can live with that. Perhaps a Weekly Discovery priced around £30 wouldn't be a bad idea?