A NEW bus service linking East Sussex with Gatwick Airport will boost the county’s economy and open up new job opportunities, council chiefs have said.

East Sussex County Council has welcomed the launch of the 380 route, funded by Gatwick and operated by Metrobus, which will see two early morning buses running from Saturday, May 30 2015.

The service, which travels from Hastings to Gatwick in just under two hours, will allow people to reach the airport to work or catch early flights, while two-way tickets are available allowing return travel by train.

Cllr Rupert Simmons, county council lead member for economy, said: “Gatwick Airport, along with the many businesses based in its vicinity, is a major hub for jobs for the whole of Sussex.

“Many of these will require an early start before the trains start running, effectively ruling out employment opportunities for people living further away from the airport.

“The new route will allow people from across East Sussex to access existing jobs and potentially allow for the creation of new jobs as employers can recruit from further afield.”

The service runs daily, leaving Beauport, near Hastings, at 1.45am and 3.45am, and calling at stops including Hastings, St Leonards, Bexhill, Little Common, Lower Dicker, Halland, Nutley and Forest Row.

A single ticket will cost £7 if paid for in cash on the bus or £6.50 if purchased via the mobile phone app or on a Key smartcard.

A return ticket including return travel by train costs £11, while discounts are available for weekly, monthly, 13-week or annual tickets.

More information is available online at www.metrobus.co.uk/earlybird