big lemon bus services coach hire & festival coaches in brighton & hove and beyond menu search home about us our plans for 2016 solar bus project solar bus wall of fame our fleet happy bus vacancies investors the future is electric bus services bus & coach hire weddings bus & coach hire terms & conditions frequently asked questions festival coaches lewes bonfire bestival boomtown end of the road green man into the wild from brighton & lewes latitude reading shambala walks contact us search for search the big lemon & brighton energy co op shortlisted in joint solar bus project bid on 02 09 201610 09 2016 by tom druittleave a comment the big lemon and brighton energy coop s joint solar bus project has been shortlisted in its bid for a share of the m & s community energy fund to cover the roof of the big lemon s bus depot in solar panels to power the new electric buses on clean green renewable energy . the 120 solar panels will generate 30kwh of electricity the equivalent of 1.8 million kettle boils . this will power the whole of the 52 route between woodingdean and brighton city centre on 100 % renewable energy with no emissions coming from the bus at all . it s great to be working with the big lemon on the innovative solar bus project . brighton energy co op has many exciting projects but never before have we covered the roof of a bus depot in solar panels to power the buses that live there . this is the first project of its kind in the uk a very exciting time for us and a project that puts brighton & hove at the forefront of renewable energy and transport in the uk will cottrell chair brighton energy co op the m & s community energy fund launched in july 2015 and has already funded 26 projects around the country . the aim of the fund is to enable more communities in the uk to generate renewable energy and become environmentally and financially sustainable . this year there is 350 000 up for grabs for the best projects as voted for by members of the public . the total cost of the 120 panel installation will be 25 000 . the solar bus project is hoping to raise half of that through crowdfunding and attract enough votes from members of the public to win 12 500 of funding from m & s energy to cover the other half . will from brighton energy coop and tom from the big lemon in the bus depot discussing how it will all work crowdfunding benefits include an entry on the solar bus wall of fame on the big lemon s website an invite to a special solar bus founders dinner and even naming rights on the big lemon s first electric bus . i m hugely grateful to the m & s community energy fund for giving us such a fantastic opportunity and excited to be working with brighton energy co op on the solar bus project with their expertise in solar installations we can t go wrong . all we have to do now is get enough votes on the m & s community energy fund website and achieve our crowdfunding target no mean feat we are calling on everyone who wants zero emissions buses powered on renewable energy in brighton & hove to help us in any way they can tom druitt managing director the big lemon the big lemon is on a mission to bring zero emissions electric buses to communities across the uk by 2030 all run by the local community and powered by renewable energy . this pilot project will not only be great for brighton & hove it will also be the first step towards making this vision a reality . to support the solar bus project please and share the project page at https www.mandsenergyfund.com projects the big lemon solar bus project . thank you so what makes the big lemon different it s all about the driver on 24 08 201624 08 2016 by tom druittleave a comment sometimes people ask us what it is that makes the big lemon different . many already know that we run our buses on on recycled waste cooking oil even if they know nothing else . some people know that we re a social enterprise but many are not sure exactly what that means . but there s something else too something even more important . so what is it it s all about the driver . we believe that by investing in our staff and giving them an enjoyable and rewarding place to work with an emphasis on fun they will pass on the lemon love to our passengers by providing a friendly and person centred service . and it seems to work . sue a regular passenger on our university services had this to say the customer service is fantastic which is one of the reasons why i am sure that the yellow buses are so popular . the drivers are all friendly ; there is always a good morning good afternoon when getting on the bus and a cheery goodbye at the end of the journey . if the drivers see you running for the bus they wait and in the morning during term time when there are so many students using the buses there is always a really nice atmosphere of happy chatter . have you had a ride on one of our buses what was it like the big lemon s shares now qualify for social investment tax relief on 06 07 2016 by tom druittleave a comment the big lemon has received confirmation of eligibility for social investment tax relief sitr from hmrc offering investors in the company income tax relief and other benefits . this represents a huge boost to the big lemon s ability to raise money for investment in electric buses and offers investors an incredible 30 % return on their investment in the first year . the big lemon has already raised 250 000 for investment in electric buses anna fisher the big lemon s finance & sustainability manager said the big lemon is on a mission to bring zero emissions zero carbon buses to brighton & hove . earlier this year we raised 250 000 for investment in electric buses and we ve spent the last few months working with suppliers to optimise the performance and battery life of the new buses . we have also recently completed a deal with our landlord to take over the lease on our depot which will enable us to generate renewable energy on site that we can then use to charge the buses . watch this space sitr offers investors in social enterprises such as the big lemon tax incentives on shares and bonds held for a minimum of three years . investors can benefit from income tax relief capital gains tax exemption loss relief and capital gains tax deferral relief . further information on sitr is available on the government website . for more info and to apply for shares in the big lemon please see our investment page www.thebiglemon.com electric the big lemon to stand for prime minister on 30 06 201630 06 2016 by tom druittleave a comment following a week of unprecedented political and financial uncertainty the big lemon has today announced its decision to stand for prime minister . announcing the decision the big lemon said this is a very confusing time in the depot . last week we were told we were going to take back control the repair workshop was going to get a funding boost of 350m a week and project fear was a big conspiracy . this week it turns out that things are spinning out of control the workshop isn t going to get 350m a week and project fear was actually project understatement . now the bus driver has left the conductor disappeared and the passengers are left in limbo not sure whether they re going forwards or backwards right or far right . meanwhile the applicant who showed the most interest in the driving position changed his mind at the last minute . it is time for us to choose a new driver . do we want a driver to drive back to the depot close the gates and lock up or do we want a driver to drive out into the world to serve our communities near and far and spread happiness and kindness wherever they go head to head the big lemon and the vote leave battle buskey manifesto pledges are freedom of movement for everyone a friendly and helpful driver free hugs for all passengers a great day out with the big lemon on 23 04 201624 04 2016 by tom druittleave a comment guest blog from brighton area buswatch i joined the big lemon on the first of their regular sunday walks for 2016 . a big lemon bus leaves old steine at 10 30 on the first sunday of each month and takes passengers to the start of the walk . the same bus meets us again at the end of the walk which is always a pub with an opportunity for lunch . the april walk began at bramber castle near steyning with a stroll around the castle remains . we then walked through the pretty village of upper beeding to the south downs way . it was a fairly steep walk up hill from there but the views from the top were outstanding . from there we remained on an undulating ridge for most of the way to devil s dyke which took about two hours . on the way from upper beeding up to the south downs waysheep with their new born lambs were plentiful as well as cows and a field with what looked like young bulls it was difficult to tell from a distance and we weren t going any closer the walk finished at the devil s dyke pub where some of our group ordered lunch and we all sat outside enjoying the sunshine and views . the devil s dyke pub was very busy but the food was good and better than some expected . pub food isn t included and some of the group had bought their own sandwiches or snacks . it was suggested that this walk should go in the opposite direction as the smaller pubs in upper beeding looked more interesting and the last part would be down hill . about twenty people had joined the walk and they were a very friendly crowd . i felt welcome as soon as i arrived at the old steine where mick and his dog becky in the photo were standing outside the bus . everyone seemed to talk to everyone else during the course of the walk ; it was interesting to meet people from a variety of backgrounds and ages . they included students a yoga teacher as well as older couples . the walk was led by anna from the big lemon who had a map and made sure we all kept together . as i boarded the bus to return to brighton i discovered that driver neil used to drive buses in canterbury where i grew up so we had a good chat about that . we arrived back in brighton at 3.30 pm but this time varies according to the length and location of the walk . passengers boarding the minibus at devil s dyke after the walkit was a really splendid day out well organised and with a very welcoming and friendly crowd many of whom tried to made it a regular event . the next walk on sunday 1 may is to the ashdown forest . thoroughly recommended for more information go