We are thrilled to feature a special guest blog from Stagecoach South celebrating the 1st birthday of the 500 bus route! Over the past year, the 500 has connected our city centre with the towns and villages of Littlehampton, Yapton, Barnham, Tangmere and Shopwhyke. Read on to find out more about the anniversary festivities, top leisure activities along the route, and how you can participate in an exciting giveaway to win a £500 Chichester Gift Card.
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It’s the 1st birthday of the 500, and we’re celebrating by giving back to customers. Join in the celebrations for a chance to win £500 worth of vouchers!
That’s one whole year serving local communities and getting you where you need to be; a year of linking new areas to shopping, leisure, St Richard’s Hospital and connecting rail and bus services in Littlehampton, Yapton, Barnham, Tangmere, Shopwhyke and Chichester.
In just 365 days we’ve learnt a lot about each other, having carried 300,000 passengers and covered over 375,000 miles! To mark the 1st anniversary, we’re giving our customers the chance to win £500 worth of Chichester Gift Card vouchers. Support over 100 local businesses in retail, dining and experiences for an exciting day out in Chichester on the 500. To enter simply visit our 500 webpage and fill out the form before the end of July.
There’s a wide range of exploring to be had along the route. Chilling in Chi? Lounging at Littlehampton beach? Taking a trip to Tangmere? The 500 has so much to offer. In fact, we’ve curated a list of our top 5 leisure activities on the 500. With all single fares capped at just £2 until at least 31st December 2024, there’s never been a better time to travel – that’s even less than your morning coffee!
- Visit Tangmere Aviation Museum – located at a former RAF base this museum is home to all thing’s aerospace heritage. The museum has a unique collection of aviation memorabilia with numerous simulators to try. You’ll love the variety of aircraft, including a prototype Spitfire, Hawker Hunter and Hurricane.
- Fontwell Park – A stunning racecourse set in the grounds between Chichester and Arundel. The Park hosts horse racing events throughout the year and is set to throw its ladies’ evening in late August followed by its Family Fun Day on the 8th of September.
- Flying Fortress Indoor Playground. Located a 10-minute walk from the bus stop on Yapton Road, this is a sure-fire winner for those with young families. With soft play, slides, mazes and a cafe for parents too!
- Chichester Cathedral – A glorious cathedral founded in 1075 that has been the center of life for Chichester for over nine centuries. Why not share in worship, explore history, art and music and experience the vibrant programme of events.
- Shopping, eating out and more – Chichester City Centre is also home to a great variety of high street and independent shops, as well as some great places to eat and drink. Enter our competition to win £500 of Chichester vouchers and your shopping trip will be on us!
If you haven’t already tried the service – travelling is easy. With the 500 running every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime, and hourly on Sundays and Bank Holidays – get going and let us do the driving. Help to contribute to sustainable travel, with our 500 fleet featuring low-emission Euro 6 buses you’ll help with traffic congestion too. You’ll even find USB charging points onboard, perfect for a ‘top-up’ on those long days.
Our wide network of frequent bus services take you to the heart of some of the most popular coastal towns, cities, and attractions, so why wait and explore? Stagecoach customers can save further with exclusive discounts when travelling by bus; 50% off admission at Weald and Downland Museum or a FREE hot drink at Cloisters Kitchen in Chichester Cathedral to name a few!
Great value tickets are available from the Stagecoach mobile app, so joining us on board couldn’t be easier. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the app and are stored safely on your device. Track the buses in real time, plan your journey, and check for live updates all in the palm of your hand!
We look forward to another year of our journey together on the 500, thanks to funding awarded by the Department for Transport through the Bus Service Improvement Plan and in partnership with West Sussex County Council.
Thank you for making our journey together so memorable!
Visit stagecoachbus.com/500 for more information including timetables, maps, and how to enter the anniversary competition.