A regional daily editor says reporters are sometimes having to take the bus to cover stories because it is quicker than going by car.
Arron Hendy, who edits The Argus, in Brighton, has claimed driving to incidents often does not get his staff there “quick enough” owing to problems with parking on the newspaper’s patch.
Arron’s comments come after he challenged himself to find the quickest way to work by using four different methods of transport for his morning commute.
He undertook the 13 mile commute from Seaford to the newspaper’s Manchester Street office by bus, train, car and bicycle on separate days.
Argus editor Arron Hendy, right, and picture editor Allan Hutchings during their challenge
In a piece about his challenge, Arron said: “Our reporters use buses to get around the city much of the time now using Brighton and Hove bus passes.
“Driving does not get us there quick enough and parking is difficult so it is rarely the best option unless we need to get to a live incident very quickly.
“Even then, going by car can be complicated because when traffic builds up it is difficult to get close to an incident. More should be using buses and trains – and cycling more.”
The challenge was taken on to celebrate 200 years since the invention of the bike, and Arron managed the route in 48 minutes.
That time was pipped by driving a car, which took 45 minutes, while the bus and train journeys were not far behind.
Argus picture editor Allan Hutchings also took on the challenge from his home in Worthing, and managed the 12-mile journey by bike in 45 minutes.
Arron added: “I decided to take on the Seaford to Brighton journey as we did a similar story years ago when the bicycle won the day because we had a very fit athlete taking part. I wanted to make it fairer by using a more average cyclist – myself.
“I did build up to it with some cycling though and of all the methods of commuting, cycling was definitely the best. I arrived at work full of the joys of spring and invigorated by the ride in.
“I know those who cycle this commute regularly can do it in under 40 minutes. Also, the journey by car can take over an hour, especially towards Seaford at the end of the day.”
Sign up for our free daily email bulletin
Follow HTFP on Twitter
Got a story? Email the Editor at
Reporters getting out and about? Shurely shome mishtake! 😉 What about the poor bleeding’ togs? (if indeed there are any staff ‘togs left there). Still the challenge ended up as ‘who can commute the quickest’, not who can get to job A, via job C and then back to job B via job A. Hmmmmmmm.
Report this comment
Presumably this has nothing to do with the fact that most reporters can’t afford to buy a car and live in Brighton? Just wondering.
Report this comment
Buy an office electric bike for best of both worlds. No peddling – unless you want to – and freedom to beat the traffic.
Report this comment
Reporters getting out and about – to meet people? Amazing. Who is going to man the computers in the newsroom? And will they be able to claim expenses or will management argue that it is a privilege to be let out of the door on a weekday.
Report this comment
Toggy, don’t be silly. Who ever heard iof a photographer only getting three jobs at the same time ?
Report this comment
I’m red-faced. I meant pedalling, not peddling. Doh!
PS Thanks for not making a meal of my carelessness.
Report this comment