A much-loved face along the seafront, Barry, Bus Driver and Dotto Conductor, is marking an extraordinary 30 years working on the town’s transport network, with much of that time spent at the controls of the iconic Dotto train.
Barry earned his professional driving licence in 1995 and joined Eastbourne Buses the following year. Since then, his entire career has been rooted in Eastbourne, serving residents and visitors alike and becoming part of the rhythm of daily life along the coast. In 2019, when the operation transferred to Stagecoach, Barry officially took on the Dotto train, a role that would further cement his place as a local character.
For Barry, the Dotto train is more than just a vehicle. “The train itself hasn’t really changed,” he says. “That’s what people love about it. It still feels like a proper old steam train, and it makes people happy.”
Running from Eastbourne Pier past the Wish Tower, Treasure Island Mini Golf and on toward Sovereign Harbour, the Dotto train provides an accessible way for people to enjoy the seafront. For many passengers, particularly older residents or those with limited mobility, it offers one of the only practical ways to travel along the coast.
Barry explained: “The accessibility is really important. Some people couldn’t get down the coast or enjoy the seafront without the train, especially in the summer when the beach is busy.”
Over the years, Barry has seen huge changes in the transport industry: the shift to low-floor vehicles, the disappearance of conductors, evolving routes, and modernised depots. Yet the Dotto train has remained reassuringly familiar, bringing together families, regular community groups, school proms, past Christmas rides and visitors discovering Eastbourne for the first time.
Barry added: “No two days are the same. You meet all sorts of people. Kids love the whistle, people wave as you go past, and it’s always nice when you can help someone who needs a bit of extra time or support.”
While Barry is often the face people recognise, he is quick to acknowledge that the Dotto’s success is a team effort, supported by colleagues behind the scenes who keep the service running smoothly.
As Eastbourne prepares for a new season of Dotto train journeys, Barry’s three decades of service stand as a reminder that it’s often the people, not just the vehicles, who make a local service truly special.
The Dotto Train returns to Eastbourne’s seafront on 28 March 2026, kicking off a new season of coastal journeys, find out more here.
