The Big Lemon

The Big Lemon is a bus operator in Brighton, East Sussex, England, operating bus for private hire and public transport as a community interest company. Positioned as a eco-friendly operation, its bright yellow buses run on 100% recycled bio-fuel made from locally-sourced used cooking oil. Originally operating route 42 in Brighton on a traditional model, as of 2008 it was redesigned as a student focused service, with a membership based funding model.

History

The idea for the Big Lemon was first raised in October 2006 by managing director Tom Druitt, a Brighton resident and former care home manager [ [http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/970698.bright_bid_for_bus_franchise/ The Argus, Bright bid for bus franchise, 16 October 2008] ] .

Initial service

After gaining an operator license, its first public transport route was launched on 1 September 2007 by Caroline Lucas MEP, a green party MEP for South East England. Route 42 was originally operated from Brighton Station to Falmer Station, with hopes to expand the operation with more routes. After lower than expected passenger numbers, and competition from Brighton & Hove, the company had decided to scale down the level of service, re-launching it in January 2007 [ [http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/1875769.lemon_buses_squeezed_off_road/ The Argus, Lemon buses squeezed off road, 3 December 2007] ] , and to reconsider its operating model.

Due to the loss of some drivers due to the news of planned restructuring, the company had to withdraw the service early on 30 November 2007, bringing a fine from the Traffic Commissioner. In an unprecedented move, the company made a public appeal to its passengers calling on them to write directly to the Traffic Commissioner to allow it to stop the service early, as it felt the company was in a catch 22 situation: it would not be able to run the service for the mandated period before withdrawal without incurring prohibitive costs that could force the company into administration, however, not running the service would potentially see its license to run any services revoked by the commissioner. Permission was eventually refused.

From 7 January to 29 January 2008, the service operated on a reduced frequency, ending once the original route registration expired after the mandated period.

Re-launch

The service was re-launched on 28 February, with a new route still numbered 42, and a new timetable, aimed at university students. Appeals to the Traffic Commissioner to waive the rules on the notification period for new registrations had failed, producing a gap in service until re-launch [ [http://archive.theargus.co.uk/2008/1/31/250013.html The Argus, Big Lemon Squeezed out, 31 January 2008] ] .

The new service was cut back to terminate at Churchill Square rather than Brighton station, due to previous apparent low demand for journeys to the station, and peak time congestion around the station. The service was also changed to run later into the night, with evening route extensions via the University of Sussex Falmer campus.

This new service operated until a planned end on 26 June 2008, for the summer term break, to be restarted again on 29 September 2008.

The service made a net profit for the first time in April 2008Official site news page. Accessed 8 September 2008] .

Funding model

After the initial failure of ordinary fare based services, in January 2008, in addition to reducing its normal service, the Big Lemon proposed a new concept of introducing services based on Passenger Clubs. New services would be launched once enough people had joined a club by pledging to pay a membership fee in advance (payable if the service started), which would entitle them to fares reductions not available to the general public. The service provided would be planned by the club, with the level of service or addition of extra buses to determine by the funding achieved in advance.

On 12 July 2008, a Members Club was introduced, whereby for an initial fee, club members would be allowed to travel free on route 42. Members would receive discounts, a share of any operating profits on the route, and other incentives and benefits [Official site, members club page, accessed 8 September 2008] .

Depot

The Big Yellow bus depot is located at Black Rock, near Brighton Marina.

Fleet

The Big Lemon has operated:

* M451 LLJ [ [http://vernoncsmith.fotopic.net/p44849856.html Image of M451 LLJ] ] An East Lancs bodied Dennis Dart, new in April 1995 to Bournemouth Transport as their fleet no. 451
* NTC 132Y [ [http://daveheath.fotopic.net/p44632724.html Image of NTC 132Y] ] a Roe bodied Leyland Olympian, new in May 1983 to Bristol Omnibus Company
* PDZ 6276 [ [http://daveheath.fotopic.net/p44632724.html Image of PDZ 6276] ] . A Leyland National new to Midland Red in March 1975 as their fleet number 475. In February 1995 it was rebuilt as a Leyland National Greenway, and reregistered as "PDZ 6275" before entering preservation in Green Line Coaches livery in July 2005 [ [http://www.leylandnationalgroup.org/members%20nationals/GOL403N/GOL403N.htm Leyland National Group, history page for GOL 403N] ] [ [http://midlandred.net/fleet/leyland/national/preserved.shtml MidlandRed.net, history page for GOL 403N] ] . In 2007 it was bought out of preservation for use by the Big Yellow bus company [ [http://sussex-transport.co.uk/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-13 sussex-transport.co.uk image of PDZ 6275] ]
* P524 XBB (in white) [ [http://vernoncsmith.fotopic.net/p45455988.html Image of P524 XBB] ] A Plaxton bodied Dennis Dart, new in September 1996 to Ward & Wolldridge, Palmersville

See also

* List of bus operators of the United Kingdom

References

External links

* [http://www.thebiglemon.com The Big Lemon's official website]