Transport giant Stagecoach plans to sell part of its operation in the South-East to Eastbourne Buses.
Four routes will change hands in two months' time if negotiations run smoothly.
Most of the 70 Stagecoach employees affected by the changes will be offered posts either with Eastbourne Buses or elsewhere with Stagecoach.
Staff have been informed and union officials are being consulted. The purpose-built Eastbourne depot, which is not part of the deal, will close and be sold.
The routes being taken over are the number 17 Stone Cross-Eastbourne-Polegate service, the 51 between Eastbourne and Hailsham, the 52 between Eastbourne and Tunbridge Wells and the 53 Eastbourne-Heathfield.
Steve Barnett, managing director of Eastbourne Buses, said: "This could not have come at a better time for Eastbourne Buses.
"We are currently consulting Eastbourne bus users on our plans for the improvement of our services within Eastbourne."
Stagecoach bosses today said customers would see virtually no difference to the timetable if the changes come into effect.
Andrew Dyer, managing director of Stagecoach South-East, said the small number of buses at its large Eastbourne depot coupled with dwindling income from those routes had forced the changes.
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