When & where

The vehicles operate from our base on the West Sussex coast, near Chichester. They are usually available for hire from April to late September in West Sussex and parts of Surrey, Hampshire and East Sussex.

Here to help

Peter manages our office and is first point of contact. The vehicles can be booked well in advance and we'll be happy to discuss arrangements more than a year ahead.

Check availability

Pricing

Hire rates start from £750 and may vary depending on how long you want the vehicle for and also the distance it needs to travel from our depot, which is near Chichester, West Sussex.

In all cases, we will provide you with a free written quote so that you know the exact cost. (VAT is included at 0% rate for transport).

Check availability

Separate pricing packages and arrangements apply to The Epsom Derby festival and Goodwood Revival.

Making a booking

Having received your quote, should you contact us to book a vehicle for hire we will request a deposit of £100. Once your deposit has reached us, your booking will be confirmed in writing. The type of vehicle you choose will be reserved in your name and will be the one which comes on the day. Other people will not be able to make a booking against it.

Full payment will be required 14 days before the hire date.

Invoices are provided and include different payment options.

Useful hints

We will plan a route beforehand, but it will help your day to go more smoothly if you consider the following:

Height

Consider trees and bridges. Double Deck buses require 16 feet clearance and coaches 11 feet. Some venues will tell you that 'large vehicles' regularly visit, but there is a big difference between a bus and a delivery van, so we recommend you take some time to check.

Width

The buses are over 8 feet wide, so a width restriction can be a serious problem. Also, please consider if the place you wish to visit suffers from parked cars which narrow the road.

Turning around

There is no power assisted steering similar to that fitted to modern vehicles, so the buses will need plenty of room to turn around. Insurance restrictions prohibit excessive reversing, so dead end roads should be avoided.

Buggies and prams

Unlike modern buses, there is simply no accommodation on vintage vehicles for a buggy or pram unless it is folded. Once folded, they must be placed in the boot of coaches or under the staircase in buses. They may not be left in gangways, block entrances/exits or placed in such a position likely to hinder evacuation of the vehicle in an emergency.

As space is very limited, there may only be room for one or two small buggies. If a wheelchair or walking frame is carried on the vehicle, it is unlikely there will be any space for a buggy.

To keep things safe, little ones should be removed and the buggy folded before attempting to join the vehicle. Please also bear in mind that there are no lifts or ramps fitted to any vehicle, so the assistance of others may be required when boarding or alighting.

Consumption of food or alcohol

We ask that you do not consume food or alcohol on the vehicle.

Accessibility

Our vehicles were built in the 1960s and as such were not designed and are not equipped to carry some mobility impaired people. We will do our very best to assist where we can and provide here a guide to using our vehicles.

Coaches

The entrance is 600mm wide and there are polished steel handrails to the left and right. From flat ground without a kerb there is a 400mm climb to the lower platform. To assist, a portable step is available from the driver.

Once on the lower platform, there are 2 further steps of 295mm to the slightly inclined floor. Steps are silver with green treads providing some contrast.

Seats are not fitted with handrails but do have low head rests which are of some help to hold on to. Between the seats there is a minimum aisle width of 355mm.

Double-deck buses

The entrance is divided by a central polished steel handrail giving a width of 520mm either side. From flat ground without a kerb there is a 330mm climb to the lower step. However, this is reduced where there is a roadside kerb.

Once on the lower step, there are 2 further steps of 200mm to the level lower deck floor. Steps are green with black nosing providing some contrast.

Seats have polished steel handrails attached to the tops and vertical poles are fitted where necessary. Between the seats there is a minimum aisle width of 400mm.

Access to the top deck of buses

Access to the top deck is via a fairly steep staircase which turns through 180 degrees. There are 7 steps, each up to 280mm deep. Silver handrails are fitted both sides.

The staircase on our open-top bus is partly exposed to the elements. Extra care should be taken when using this vehicle as steps and surfaces may become slippery in damp or wet weather.

Emergency exits

Additional exits are located at the rear of all vehicles for use in an emergency. Such exits are standard to buses and coaches in the UK and may involve a drop. Please make yourself familiar with the emergency exits when first joining the vehicle and be aware that others may need assistance when using them. It might not always be possible for the driver to assist.

Walking frame and wheelchair users

Either one walking frame or one folded self-propelled wheelchair can be accommodated on-board each of our vehicles (they cannot be battery operated). The walking frame or folded wheelchair must be placed in the boot of coaches or under the staircase in buses. They may not be left in gangways, block entrances/exits or placed in such a position likely to hinder evacuation of the vehicle in an emergency.

Unfortunately, it is not possible for users to remain seated whilst the wheelchair is loaded onto the vehicle. Please also bear in mind that there are no lifts or ramps fitted to any vehicle, so the assistance of others may be required when boarding or alighting.

Emergency equipment

All vehicles carry a first-aid kit. A fire extinguisher is located in the driver’s cab.

Seat belts & safety equipment

Vintage buses were not built with anchor points and so no seat belts are fitted. In context, there is today no requirement for seat belts on modern service buses.

A fire extinguisher is located in the driver’s cab.

All vehicles carry a first-aid kit.

Emergency exits

Additional exits are located at the rear of all vehicles for use in an emergency. Such exits are standard to buses and coaches in the UK and may involve a drop. Please make yourself familiar with the emergency exits when first joining the vehicle and be aware that others may need assistance when using them. It might not always be possible for the driver to assist.

Tender loving care

As all the maintenance and restoration is done in-house, we are in full control of the tender loving care that our vehicles receive. If we don't get it right, it will be with us to deal with the consequences, so we like to do things properly each and every time.

What happens in the workshops

We have been licensed to operate our vehicles for hire since 1999, but the formation of our restoration group goes much further back to 1988. Now, with over 35 years experience, we have built up a huge supply of new and reconditioned parts ready for any eventuality. Our approach to engineering excellence results in high vehicle availability throughout the busy summer months, during which each vehicle undergoes regular and stringent safety checks.

Then, during the quiet winter months, we undertake major restoration and improvement work in our own well equipped workshops, so ensuring reliability the following summer. We also take particular care to replicate original detail wherever possible and work closely with local engineering firms to source and manufacture components.

Before the vehicle arrives

On the day itself, as a further check before leaving our depot, the driver and engineering staff will ensure the vehicle and its safety features are working correctly. Only if the vehicle is fully fit for service will we allow it to go onto the road.

It is very rare to have to offer a substitute from our vintage fleet and in such circumstances we would contact you first.

Of course, it would be totally naive to say things might never go wrong and in such cases we like to take a fully proactive approach to putting things right. This is why Peter asks customers to provide a mobile phone number for someone in the party we can contact on the day, explain the occurrence and what the available options are.

Amending your booking

Amendments become more difficult to arrange as your hire date approaches, so the more notice you can give, the better.

Where you wish to change dates, times and places, or if you would like a different type of vehicle to the one you have booked, please contact us immediately by telephone or email.

In all cases, we cannot guarantee the change will be possible, but we will do our very best to accomodate your request.

Cancelling your booking

Should you decide to cancel the booking, the deposit is usually non-refundable. Where you cancel the booking on the day of the hire, we reserve the right not to make any refund

In circumstances where Southcoast Motor Services are unable to proceed with your hire, you will be entitled to a full refund.

To amend or cancel your booking, please telephone or email.

Enquiries@SouthcoastMotorServices.co.uk

Peter Staveley
Free: 0800 848 8954
Alternative: 07973 168742

The organisation

Our restoration group was formed in 1988 with the intention of saving and preserving buses and coaches from a golden age, and after successfully obtaining a licence in 1999 we now operate some of our collection for the pleasure of others.

We take immense pride in what we do and always aim for the highest possible standard when presenting our buses and coaches. All our drivers are hand-picked professionals ensuring safety and service.

The vehicles operate from our base on the West Sussex coast near Chichester. As with most such facilities, access is restricted. Peter manages our office and is first point of contact for all enquiries.

Smallest details

Our approach to engineering excellence results in high vehicle availability throughout the busy summer months, during which each vehicle undergoes regular and stringent safety checks. Each autumn, after the operating season has finished, heavy restoration and improvement work is undertaken in our own well equipped workshops. We take particular care to replicate original detail wherever possible and work closely with local engineering firms to source and manufacture components.

The commitment to the continued operation and long term security of these vehicles is absolute and our next full restoration projects, a 1952 luxury tour coach and a 1969 dual-purpose bus/coach, are well under way.

Our bus 350 (cente left) featured in Royal Mail's special issue 'Classic British Buses'

Background to licensing

When you hire a bus or coach in Great Britain and payment is taken for carrying passengers (called ‘hire or reward’), the person(s) or company providing the vehicle(s) must hold a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) Operator Licence.

The operator licensing system in Great Britain is regulated by independent traffic commissioners, who are appointed by the Secretary of State.

The main purpose of PSV Operator Licensing is to ensure the safe and proper use of PSVs. It is very important you check that the supplier of your bus or coach is a legal operator.

Does it matter

It matters to you, because in such cases where others may take payment for a bus or coach without holding an Operator's Licence, the vehicle on which you might travel may not be roadworthy or correctly insured. Thankfully, it is very easy for you to check.

How to check you're in safe hands

First of all good news, we at Southcoast Motor Services hold a current Operator's Licence. View our Operator's Licence (PK0003438).

If you want to check someone else is a legal operator, you may do so on the UK Government's dedicated web site.

If you think you'd like to learn more, the Government provide a Public service vehicle (PSV) operator licensing guide.