General

1. What’s it all about?
   • It’s all about finding practical solutions to climate change, providing a good service to the community and having fun at the same time.
2. Why is it called The Big Lemon?
   • Tom had a moment of inspiration after seeing some lemons on a grocery stand and thinking that would make a good colour for a bus...
3. What difference can a little bus company make?
   • Not a huge amount by itself, but if it can show how a community can shift from carbon-intensive transport to sustainable transport and other communities take the idea and run with it, the impact of lots of communities changing the way they get around can be big.

   Our Vehicles

4. How many vehicles do you have?
   • Six buses, two coaches, three vans and a mobile home
5. What do they run on?
   • Biodiesel from waste cooking oil collected from local restaurants.
6. Why do they all run on biodiesel from waste oil?
   • Because the carbon footprint is miniscule (80-90% less than diesel), the emissions are not as bad for your health, it diverts waste cooking oil from landfill, it keeps local people in business and it doesn’t require wars to be fought in far off places.  If people didn’t use crude oil products like diesel there would be no oil spills too and the world would be a better place.

   Our Drivers

7. How come all your drivers are so friendly?
   • Because we only hire friendly people and they are very happy to see you on the bus.
8. Why don’t your drivers wear a uniform?
   • We have a dress code (any of our branded clothing) but we don’t insist on what kind of clothes people wear as everyone’s different and everyone likes wearing different things
9. Are there any jobs available?
   • Possibly.  Email your CV to lemonbus@thebiglemon.com and we'll let you know if there are any vacancies.

   Public Services

10. What services do you run?
    • We run two local bus services, the 42 between Brighton and Sussex University, and the 44 between Brighton, Varley Halls and Brighton University.  For details about our services, follow the drop down options on the left.
11. Why do you run your 42 service on a route already well served by buses?
    • The aim of the first service was to introduce competition to the city, which had been lacking for a few years.  Competition is a good thing as it keeps operators on their toes and keeps fares down, and we have indeed seen a reduction in some fares, and the abolition of the night surcharge, since we started.  This all helps encourage more people on the buses and reduces pollution and congestion.
12. I heard the 42 is under threat at the moment, what's going on?
    • The 42 is under intense competitive pressure at the moment to the point where it has become financially unviable to run in the long term.  However, if we stopped running it then prices on competing services would almost certainly increase again, so we are asking everyone on that route to jump on our buses and ensure the long-term viability of the service.  This will benefit passengers of all persuasions!
13. Can you run a service in my area?
    • We’re often asked about services in other areas, and we’re very interested in hearing from you if you think there’s a gap in provision somewhere.  Click here to email us

    Private Hire

14. Can I hire a bus?
    • Yes! Please go to the Bus & Coach Hire section.
15. What sizes are your private hire vehicles?
    • We have a 28 seater, a 31 seater and four 48 seater buses, as well as 48 seater and 57 seater coaches.  The 48 seater coach is our newest one, and comes with super-comfy, reclining seats, a stereo, microphone and DVD player.
16. Do your buses have seatbelts?
    • The 28 and 31 seaters and the two coaches all have seatbelts.
17. Do you do weddings?
    • Yes! Please go to the Wedding page.
18. Can we put a special message on the destination screen?
    • Yes, no problem!

    Festival Coach Services

19. Which festivals are you going to?
    • Please have a look at our Festivals section.
20. How much are the tickets?
    • Cheaper than it would cost to go any other way!  Have a look at our Festivals section.
21. Can you take us to other festivals?
    • Yes, you can hire a bus / coach to go to any festival you like!  Please go to the Bus & Coach Hire section.
22. I run a festival; can you run services for us?
    • Yes, we can run coaches from various towns and cities, and we can do a local shuttle too if you like!  Click here to email us your requirements

    Oil Supply & Collection

23. Can you supply and collect our oil?
    • Yes, please fill out our online form here and we’ll get in touch!
24. How often can you come?
    • We can come as frequently as required.  Most of our waste oil suppliers have a weekly collection, and smaller users have a two-weekly, monthly or as required collection schedule.
25. How much is the oil?
    • For current prices please visit our Oil Supply & Collection section
26. Can you collect even if you don’t supply?
    • Yes.
27. Is there a charge for collection?
    • No.