New estate brings improved Horsham to Crawley bus service

Buses between Horsham and Crawley started running more frequently at the weekend after Metrobus improved one of its services to include the new Kilnwood Vale development near Crawley.
Nick Hill from Metrobus and James King from Crest Nicholson mark the launch of the number 23 Horsham to Crawley bus service calling at Kilnwood Vale, Crawley - picture submittedNick Hill from Metrobus and James King from Crest Nicholson mark the launch of the number 23 Horsham to Crawley bus service calling at Kilnwood Vale, Crawley - picture submitted
Nick Hill from Metrobus and James King from Crest Nicholson mark the launch of the number 23 Horsham to Crawley bus service calling at Kilnwood Vale, Crawley - picture submitted

Operating from May 17, the new bus stop located inside the development will offer Kilnwood Vale’s growing community a sustainable source of public transport, on and off-peak, seven days a week.

The existing Metrobus number 23 service will connect Kilnwood Vale to major towns across West Sussex including Horsham, Crawley and Worthing.

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The inclusion of Kilnwood Vale in the number 23’s timetable coincides with further improvements to the service, including an increased frequency between Crawley and Horsham, with buses operating every 30 minutes during the day, Monday to Saturday, as well as a new Sunday service.

The revised timetable for the service has also been scheduled to connect with London commuter trains during morning and evening peak hours.

Significantly, Crest Nicholson and Metrobus have worked together to deliver a permanent bus service for Kilnwood Vale residents, rather than a temporary shuttle bus service, which was originally proposed for the site.

James King, technical director of strategic projects, Crest Nicholson, said: “We are delighted to deliver an extension to the number 23 bus service, which is set to benefit our residents at Kilnwood Vale significantly.

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“Working with Metrobus ensured that we were able to implement the extension to the service for the first phase of Kilnwood Vale, offering residents and those visiting the development a greater opportunity to travel sustainably, both during the week and at weekends.”

Ian Coyle, Operations Manager, Metrobus, said: “We are delighted to offer these enhancements, which not only provide a great service to the new residents of Kilnwood Vale, but also provide benefits to the wider community of Crawley and Horsham. We look forward to further developing the service to the new development as it grows and are delighted to work with Crest Nicholson on this exciting project.”

Kilnwood Vale has been designed to support its residents in making real sustainable transport choices for everyday life. As more houses are occupied and Kilnwood Vale develops, the level of bus service and connections to Crawley and surrounding areas will increase.

“Eventually, there will be five bus services accessing the site, including Metrobus Fastway Service 10. Specific “bus-only” connections are planned for the site at Sullivan Drive in Bewbush and Woodcroft Road in Ifield West, giving priority to public transport users.

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In addition, all households at Kilnwood Vale will be provided with a Travel Voucher worth up to £100, which can be spent on sustainable travel by means of walking, cycling or public transport. Residents will also have the option of using their Travel Voucher on a Metrobus key smart card, providing up to 8 weeks free bus travel on Metrobus services, while free customer Wi-Fi will be introduced imminently.

Metrobus is an award-winning transport operator providing services in Horsham and Crawley with a high-quality fleet of vehicles fitted with both CCTV and GPS technology. This excellent standard of public transport also provides live departure times displayed at bus stops and real time information available for residents. The buses are also easily accessible for buggies and wheelchair users.

On completion, Kilnwood Vale will comprise 2,500 homes, delivering much needed housing for the growing population in the Gatwick triangle. Comprising a selection of two-bedroom apartments and two, three, four and five-bedroom houses, Kilnwood Vale has been designed to integrate seamlessly into the local community thanks to its robust infrastructure.