Southdown is joining the Metrobus family

Southdown is joining the Metrobus family on Saturday 2nd September. From this day, all Southdown bus routes will be operated by Metrobus. Southdown's existing colleagues will still be driving your buses though, and you can expect to receive the same great service from them on board. There will also be no change to what you pay for any single or return fares when you board the bus. 

Initially, buses will still appear in the same colours, but over the coming months, we will start to repaint them into the blue and yellow colours seen on other Metrobus vehicles. In the short term, however, you may see buses in either colour whilst this process runs its course. 

As a reminder, Southdown already accept all Metrobus-issued Metrovoyagers and Metroriders (in the zones they are valid) on our buses. Once Southdown joins the Metrobus family, they will no longer provide Southdown Savers. If you already have one on your Smart card then you will continue to be able to use it on routes formerly operated by Southdown until it expires, but you won’t be able to purchase or collect any new ones. Please be aware that Southdown Savers will only work on routes formerly operated by Southdown. You won’t be able to use them on existing Metrobus routes. 

The Metrovoyager prices are similar to the old Southdown Saver but are valid on all Metrobus routes across Surrey, Sussex and Kent including the former Southdown routes. They can be bought on the Metrobus mobile app too. 

The Caterham Hoppa and Oxted Hoppa will continue to exist and be available for purchase on our buses. In addition, Caterham Hoppas will also be valid on existing Metrobus route 400. The Horley Hoppa will no longer exist as it is wholly within the more comprehensive Crawley Metrorider zone.  

It will not be possible to continue accepting TAP cards on Metrobus services. As an alternative, Metrobus accept all major Visa and Mastercard contactless cards. For children, they also accept prepay cards such as Go Henry, Hyperjar, Nimbl, Revolut and Starling.  

We're looking forward to welcoming Southdown's buses, customers and colleagues to our network in the Autumn.