Are trains running normally in Sussex today?

Some Southern routes may run to an amended timetable today and some routes have rail replacement buses. Check your route before travel and allow extra time.

Is there any longer disruption in West Sussex?

Southern has reported no trains between Horsham and Dorking (Main) until Monday 16 February due to a landslip, with rail replacement buses in operation.

What is the easiest alternative if I need to be on time?

A pre booked local taxi is a simple door to door option, especially when rail replacement buses are busy or when you have luggage.

RAIL DISRUPTION PLAN

Sussex Train Disruption: Replacement Buses, Taxi Backups and Airport Connections

What to do when engineering work, a cancellation or a line closure breaks the plan — especially when you have luggage, an appointment or a flight you cannot miss.

Check taxi availability Call 01273 011219

About the original update: this page was first published for Sunday 8 February 2026 and mentioned disruption current on that date. Those details have expired. The article now preserves the useful part: a practical, source-led plan for any Sussex rail disruption.

Brighton railway station during a disrupted Sussex journey — Brighton Station. Photo: Mike Quinn, Geograph, CC BY-SA 2.0.

First identify the kind of disruption

Planned engineering

Usually published in advance. Check the exact date because weekend and late-night patterns can differ from weekday services.

Short-notice cancellation

Look beyond the cancelled train: the next service may absorb two loads of passengers and become crowded.

Line blocked or diversion

Your train may terminate elsewhere. Confirm the replacement station before arranging a road pickup.

The six-step recovery plan

Verify the status. Use National Rail and the train operator’s live journey planner, not an old social post.

Find the real arrival time. Include the replacement bus queue, transfer, walking and the final journey from the station.

Protect the fixed deadline. Work backwards from airport check-in, an appointment or event doors closing.

Choose one pickup station. Do not book Brighton while you are still deciding between Hove, Preston Park and Haywards Heath.

Send complete details. Provide pickup, destination, passengers, luggage, phone and required arrival time.

Wait for confirmation. Disruption can increase road demand too; a request is not a confirmed vehicle.

Replacement bus or pre-booked taxi?

Situation	Replacement transport may suit	A taxi may suit
Flexible arrival	You can accept extra changes and waiting.	You value a direct final address.
Heavy luggage	You can safely manage bags through every change.	You need confirmed door-to-door capacity.
Flight connection	The amended route still has a generous buffer.	The deadline needs a separately confirmed road plan.
Group travel	Everyone can stay together through transfers.	A suitable group vehicle is confirmed in advance.

Airport connection during rail disruption

Tell the operator the airport, terminal, flight number and the time you want to arrive — not just the flight departure. A Brighton to Gatwick taxi currently starts from £75, but final pricing and pickup time depend on the exact route, requested vehicle and live availability. For Heathrow or another airport, leave a larger buffer and confirm the correct terminal.

Already booked an airport pickup after a train? If your rail arrival changes, contact the operator immediately. A driver cannot know which replacement route you accepted, and a different station pickup is a booking change subject to availability.

Brighton Station meeting point

Unless your confirmation says otherwise, the usual suggested pre-booked meeting point is the main station car park behind Brighton Station on Stroudley Road, Brighton BN1 4LF. The front taxi rank is not automatically the meeting point for a private-hire booking. See the full Brighton Station pickup instructions.

Your train changed. Send the new facts.

Share the confirmed station, destination, deadline, passengers and bags. We will tell you whether a suitable vehicle is available.

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Rail disruption FAQs

Can a taxi replace my cancelled train immediately?

Only if a suitable vehicle is available and the journey is confirmed. Demand often rises sharply during disruption.

Can you collect from another station?

Yes, subject to availability and a revised quote. Confirm the station before requesting the change.

Will the driver know my train was cancelled?

Not necessarily. Contact the operator with the new plan and keep the booking phone available.

Can I pay by card?

Yes. Cash or card can be paid to the driver, or a payment link can be requested.

Disruption details change quickly. Verify live information with the rail operator and National Rail. Sussex Airports Taxis is independent of the transport organisations mentioned.