About us

Metrobus is part of the Go-Ahead Group plc – one of the five largest transport groups within the UK. Go-Ahead also runs several rail franchises.

Metrobus was established in 1983 in Orpington, Kent and was acquired in 1999 by Go-Ahead, the company has expanded to over 450 vehicles and now employs around 1,500 people. Metrobus operates out of three depots – Crawley, Croydon and Orpington.

In 2012, Metrobus was awarded Bus Operator of the Year at the National Transport Awards, whilst Crawley depot was awarded Top National Bus Depot.

A large proportion of Metrobus’ fleet is run for Transport for London (TfL), the remainder of our services are concentrated in Crawley, Horsham, East Grinstead, Redhill and Reigate. We also run more rural services across to Kent and as far down as Brighton.

We operate the successful Fastway service, a partnership that involves West Sussex County Council, Surrey County Council, Crawley Borough Council and Gatwick Airport. Fastway links Crawley to Horley, serving Gatwick Airport.

Fastway uses dedicated lanes, guideways and priorities at traffic lights to improve reliability and journey times. All vehicles are fitted with cctv and use Global Positioning System technology (GPS) for real time passenger information that is available on-line or at bus stops.

                                                                                                             Metrobus operating area

All our buses are fitted with GPS tracking equipment which allows services to be controlled more accurately. For passengers it means all routes are on the real-time information system which they can access online and know exactly when their next bus will turn up. Many bus stops are also fitted with bus stop information screens.

To attract passengers we have substantially invested in our fleet over the years. The average age of our vehicles is 5.6 years, well below the Government’s target of 8 years. All of our vehicles have engines that are Euro II and above and all our buses have low floors, making them accessible for wheelchair users and parents with buggies. The Euro engine standards set out maximum emission levels on new vehicles that are becoming increasingly stricter and thus reduce the impact the vehicles have on the environment.

As well as investment to reduce our impact on the environment, we have also invested in cctv for security and safety of passengers and staff alike. 100% of the fleet now have cctv installed and all of our new vehicles come fitted with cctv as standard.

During 2011, a survey was undertaken of Metrobus users in Sussex and Surrey by the  independent bus consumer watchdog Passenger Focus. The survey found that some 93% of our users were satisfied with the service provided.

Further information about Metrobus can be found here (4MB).