Council officers said these changes, which come alongside a higher cost for additional passengers (30p to 40p) plus a higher premium for transporting dogs (from 20p to 30p per dog), equate to a 10% increase in fares overall.
There is also a change to when drivers can begin to charge their late night rate. Currently, this more expensive rate begins at 11pm, but will begin at midnight.
The current fares were set in April 2023 when the cost of diesel had been 161 pence per litre. This week the RAC Foundation puts the average price at 185 pence per litre.
A new fast train
South Eastern Railway has announced an express weekday service between Hastings and Charing Cross from December, cutting the total journey time to London Bridge by 14 minutes.
The train will call at St Leonards Warrior Square, Battle, Tunbridge Wells, London Bridge, Waterloo East and Charing Cross, and depart Hastings at 08:05 and arrive at Charing Cross at 09:33.
Hastings and Rye MP Helena Dollimore said, “Securing a faster train service has been one of my top priorities as our local MP. When we are almost the same distance from London as Brighton, why should our train take twice as long? I will keep pushing for better transport services in our area, including reopening Ashford International to cross-channel trains, pushing for action on missed connections on the Marshlink, and upgrading the track connecting Ashford, Rye, Hastings, Eastbourne and Brighton.”
Closed for weeks
Market Street and Lion Street in Rye are closed outside Rye Town Hall for work by Scotia Gas Networks. Whilst work is yet to start on Lion Street, the closure is listed to continue until 23 October.
You can find more about the closures, and other local roadworks, here.
Get booking 1!
Following the success of its inaugural Winchelsea event, the Gastronomic Promenade – or GastroProm, as it will now be known – returns on Saturday 3 October with an entirely new 7.6-mile route through Rye, Playden and Iden. It will bring together seasonal local food and drink, five eclectic live music performances, historic landmarks, local characters and unexpected venues across one day.
One of the highlights will be a visit to The Bell in Iden. The community-owned village pub will open by special arrangement for a Harvest Crumble and Cocktail Party featuring Britain’s Got Talent finalist and self-proclaimed Queen of Crumble, Lorraine Bowen, with sidekick DJ Custard.
Event founder Jane Brook said, “The Gastronomic Promenade is about far more than walking between courses. We connect food to the landscape it comes from and introduce our guests to the venues, history and people that give this area its character. Every stop reveals something new and by the end of the day, strangers feel like old walking companions.”
Get booking 2!
Fancy a new experience? If so, grab a ticket for the Auction of Experiences in aid of the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity at the George Hotel, Rye on 15 October. It will be a fun evening which kicks off with a reception sponsored by the George Hotel followed by the auction of over 30 diverse lots including a Michel Roux cookery workshop as featured on ITV, a hot air balloon flight, a glamping weekend and skiing lessons.
Whether you fancy trying a gong bath or making sushi, spending a weekend in a beautiful cottage or on the road in a camper van, there are experiences to appeal to every age and for every taste. To view the full catalogue, book tickets to the reception and live auction or, if you can’t attend, place an advance bid visit www.marsdenauction.co.uk.
Event organiser Chris Lee said, “Almost everybody’s life has been touched in some way by cancer and the Royal Marsden Hospital, which was established 175 years ago specifically for the treatment of cancer patients, is at the sharp end of treatment and ground breaking research into the disease. The funds raised will further their work.”
Image Credits: James Stewart , ShareAlike 4.0 International CC , Barbara Astley-Morton .