Bus services in Kent
Last updated: 16 March 2023
This page is for residents to find out the latest information on bus services in Kent.
Who runs bus services
We don’t run bus services in Kent, they are run for profit by private bus operators. We do not have the powers or funding of an organisation like Transport for London.
However, we do provide funding to subsidise some routes or services that are not viable for private bus operators to run.
Bus use in Kent, as with rest of the UK, has only partially recovered since the pandemic. Local use of buses is around 80% of pre-pandemic levels, with off-peak use being much less than this.
Changes to bus services in Kent
Most changes to bus services have been proposed by private bus companies (affecting more than 100 services), some of which impact on school routes. View the list of bus services affected.
Bus operators continue to face significant financial pressures from rising costs, significantly lower passenger numbers since the pandemic and a shortage of drivers.
These services are not provided, or subsidised, by KCC.
In recognition of the impact these bus operator cuts would have on pupils and their families, we worked closely with them during the summer to provide a range of different measures to enable as many pupils as possible to get to school from September and protect as many school buses as possible at least until the end of the current school year. This is detailed in the bus service list below. This work resulted in a much better position for passengers than was thought possible earlier in the summer.
The 100+ bus withdrawals announced this year by private bus operators are entirely separate to the 38 bus contracts we planned to withdraw subsidies from. We consulted on these bus reduction plans in the summer, and councillors voted to proceed with the planned subsidy withdrawals at the Full Council meeting on 20 October, to achieve a saving of £2.2 million. These services will stop on 12 February 2023.
KCC continues to invest over £30 million in support of Kent’s bus network and its users. This includes subsidising more than 80 bus routes, subsidising the costs of bus travel for students through the Kent Travel Saver and 16+ schemes and supporting free travel for elderly and disabled bus users.
In recognition of the importance that local communities place on bus services, this year we have significantly boosted the money available for local community transport schemes, increasing the fund from £100,000 to £450,000. We will be inviting applications from local communities shortly – find out more about community transport schemes. The decision to find the funding to protect the Kent Karriers also acknowledged the role that these services play, particularly when other bus services are struggling to survive and, in some instances, are being withdrawn or reduced by operators.
We have also committed to setting up a cross-party group to develop our future bus policy.
The latest bus service updates
These are the known and anticipated changes and cancellations to bus services in Kent, including the services affected by our subsidy withdrawals. The information shows services that are provided on a commercial basis (by bus operators) and those that are funded by us.
We are working with operators to try to provide some alternative services. When we receive information about alternative services, the information below will be updated.
Bus number | Operator | Route | Change and impact | Date of expected change | Latest update |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 | Stagecoach | Greenhill to Whitstable to Canterbury | Service withdrawn. | 30 April 2023 | - |
5 | Arriva | Cranbrook to Maidstone | Sunday service withdrawn by the operator | February 2023 | - |
5 | Arriva | Maidstone to Sandhurst | Withdrawal the 6:44pm Maidstone to Sandhurst journey and later on Monday to Saturday Day time services not covered by this contract Estimated saving: £59,601 (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | Subject to outcome of KCC decision making process. |
6 | Arriva | East Peckham to Tunbridge Wells | This contract provides for the diversion of the Sunday 6 service through Pembury, the remainder of the service operates on a commercial basis Estimated saving: £11,700 (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | Subject to outcome of KCC decision making process. |
6/ 645 | Stagecoach | Herne and Broomfield in to Hillborough School | 8:19am journey from Herne to Hillborough School via Broomfield and the return journey in the afternoon would be withdrawn Estimated saving: £27,659 (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | Subject to outcome of KCC decision making process. |
7 | Stagecoach | Herne Bay to Altira Park | Service withdrawn. Broomfield covered by service 6. Service 36 covers the remainder. | 30 April 2023 | - |
8 | Chalkwell | Sittingbourne to Kenilworth Court/ Conyer | Withdrawal of 6 off peak journeys, Monday to Friday operating between Sittingbourne, Borden, Kenilworth Court, Bapchild and Teynham Plus the 3:20pm from Sittingbourne Community College to Teynham Estimated saving: £313,698 (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | Subject to outcome of KCC decision making process. |
9 | Arriva | Bearsted to Maidstone | Withdrawal of the 7:28am service from Bearsted on school days. | 19 February 2023 | An earlier running journey continues to meet the school need. |
9 | Chalkwell | Sittingbourne town service | Withdrawal of the whole service, which operates on Mondays to Saturdays for Kenilworth Court, Bell Road and Northwood Avenue Estimated saving: included in the savings of the number 8 Chalkwell bus service (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | Subject to outcome of KCC decision making process. |
13 | Nu-Venture | Hollingbourne to Maidstone | Withdrawal of the current Saturday service operating between Hollingbourne and Parkwood (for connections to Maidstone) via Leeds and Langley Monday to Friday service continues unchanged Estimated saving: £25,391 (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | Subject to outcome of KCC decision making process. |
17 | Stagecoach | Folkestone to Canterbury | Withdrawal of 4 journeys operating Monday to Saturday evening between Folkestone and Canterbury starting with the 7:40pm from Folkestone Daytime services not covered by this contract Estimated saving: £46,613 (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | Subject to outcome of KCC decision making process. |
24 | Autocar | Sandhurst to Maidstone | Withdrawal of Tuesday 9:30am journey from Sandhurst to Maidstone and the return journey at 1:20pm from Maidstone Estimated saving: £15,469 (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | Subject to outcome of KCC decision making process. |
Bus number | Operator | Route | Change and impact | Date of expected change | Latest update |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
58 | Nu-Venture | Addington, Ryarsh, Trottiscliffe, Birling to Maidstone | Withdrawal of the whole Monday to Saturday service This service provides the only public transport for villages to the west of West Malling, including journeys for school children Estimated saving: £84,915 (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | From 13 February Nu-Venture will provide a limited shopper service for these areas running on Fridays only. |
59 | Nu-Venture | Grafty Green, Ulcombe, Kingswood, Chart Sutton to Maidstone | Withdrawal of the whole service which operates Monday to Saturday between Grafty Green and Parkwood (for connections to Maidstone) Service 89 school journeys from the same area are not covered by this contract Estimated saving: £126,000 (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | From 13 February Nu-Venture will provide a limited shopper service for these areas running on Wednesdays only. |
61 61A 64A | Stagecoach | Aycliffe, Dover Town Centre, River to Whitfield | Withdrawal of 3 Monday to Saturday evening journeys starting with the 6:18pm from Whitfield Daytime service not included as part of this contract Estimated saving: £33,477 (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | Subject to outcome of KCC decision making process. |
70 | Nu-Venture | Borough Green, Platt, Offham to Larkfield | Withdrawal of all journeys which provides 8 off-peak journeys for Borough Green, Platt and Offham Estimated saving: £61,851 (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | From 13 February Nu-Venture will provide a limited shopper service for these areas running on Mondays only. |
88 | Nu-Venture | Maidstone to Kings Hill | Withdrawal of the commuter service operating Monday to Friday from Maidstone to Kings Hill via Barming and Wateringbury This service provides one journey in the morning and 2 journeys in the afternoon Estimated saving: £30,444 (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | Subject to outcome of KCC decision making process. |
Bus number | Operator | Route | Change and impact | Date of expected change | Latest update |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
103 | Stagecoach | Folkestone to Lydd | Service withdrawn (expected commercial bus change) | February 2023 | - |
104 | Stagecoach | Cheriton to Lydd | Service withdrawn (expected commercial bus change) | February 2023 | - |
111 | Stagecoach | Ashford to Folkestone | Withdrawal of Thursday only service also operating via Mersham, Aldington, Lympne, West Hythe and Burmarsh Expected savings: £13,007 (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | Subject to outcome of KCC decision making process. |
123 | Stagecoach | Biddenden to Ashford | Withdrawal of the whole service operating Monday to Friday to Ashford from Smarden, Pluckley, Egerton and Hothfield, including journeys to and from Ashford schools Expected savings: £85,627 (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | From 13 February Stagecoach will operate a new 10E service on School days only which will serve the majority of the current 123 route. |
Bus number | Operator | Route | Change and impact | Date of expected change | Latest update |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
222 | Autocar | Wrotham, Ightham, Borough Green, Shipbourne to Tonbridge | Withdrawal of 4 journeys Monday to Friday and all Saturday journeys Other Monday to Friday journeys, including those at school times will continue Estimated saving: £40,500 (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | Subject to outcome of KCC decision making process |
235 | Autocar | Tonbridge to Tunbridge Wells | Service withdrawal (expected commercial bus change) | December 2022 | Service has been cancelled by the operator owing to driver shortage. |
255 | Autocar | Benenden to Tunbridge Wells | Withdrawal of service 3 days a week (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) between Benenden and Tunbridge Wells via Hawkhurst, Flimwell and Lamberhurst Estimated saving: £23,034 (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | Subject to outcome of KCC decision making process |
266 | Autocar | Kilndown to Maidstone | Withdrawal of Tuesday only service between Kilndown and Maidstone via Horsmonden, Claygate, Laddingford and Nettlestead Estimated saving: £11,115 (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | Subject to outcome of KCC decision making process |
277 | Arriva | Henwood Green to Tunbridge Wells | Withdrawal of one early morning journey operating Monday to Friday leaving Stone Court Lane at 6:37am Estimated saving: £6,281 (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | Subject to outcome of KCC decision making process |
288 | Autocar | Groombridge to Weald of Kent | Service withdrawn | December 2022 | Service has been cancelled by the operator owing to driver shortage. |
292 299 | Autocar | Tenterden to Sandhurst and Tonbridge to Tenterden | Withdrawal of the 292 Tenterden to Sandhurst and 299 Tonbridge to Tenterden services which provide one return journey each operating on Fridays only Estimated saving: £14,498 (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | Subject to outcome of KCC decision making process |
296 | Autocar | Paddock Wood to Tunbridge Wells | Withdrawal of the service which operates on Monday, Thursday and Saturday between Paddock Wood and Tunbridge Wells via Horsmonden, Brenchley and Kippings Cross Estimated saving: £25,720 (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | Subject to outcome of KCC decision making process |
306 308 | Redroute | Gravesend to Sevenoaks | Reduced level of service from April but all areas remain covered on Mondays to Fridays. Saturday service between Vigo and Sevenoaks withdrawn. | 3 April 2023 | - |
332 | Chalkwell | Stockbury, Yelsted to Sittingbourne schools | Withdrawal of school day only service to Sittingbourne schools Estimated saving: £43,055 (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | - |
343 344 345 | Chalkwell | Newnham, Doddington, Lynsted, Teynham, Bapchild and Conyer to Sittingbourne | Withdrawal of all 3 services The service operates Monday to Saturday providing the only public transport for rural parts of Sittingbourne including journeys for school children Estimated saving: included in the Chalkwell 8 service savings (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | Subject to outcome of KCC decision making process |
347 | Arriva | Sittingbourne to Kemsley | Service withdrawn | February 2023 | Replacement service will be operated by Chalkwell |
349 | Arriva | Sittingbourne to Muston | Service withdrawn | February 2023 | Replacement service will be operated by Chalkwell |
360 | Chalkwell | Leysdown to Sheerness and Queenborough | Service currently operates Monday to Sunday Estimated saving: £31,779 (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | Changes to Monday to Saturday Service. |
361 | Chalkwell | Sheerness to Rushenden | Service operates Monday to Sunday | February 2023 | Revised timetable from February 2023 |
362 | Chalkwell | Sheerness to (west) Minster | Service reduced to hourly | February 2023 | - |
367 | Chalkwell | Sheerness to Warden Point | Service operates Monday to Saturday | February 2023 | Service withdrawn. |
Bus number | Operator | Route | Change and impact | Date of expected change | Latest update |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
433 | Arriva | Bluewater, Longfield, Hartley to New Ash Green | Withdrawal of the whole Sunday service The Monday to Saturday service is not covered by this contract Estimated saving: £34,005 (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | Subject to outcome of KCC decision making process |
474 475 | Go Coach | Bluewater to Longfield | Withdrawal of the whole service which runs Monday to Saturday, operating a circular service between Bluewater and Longfield via Bean, Betsham, Southfleet and New Barn Estimated saving: £114,847 (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | From 13 February a new Go Coach C1 off-peak only, less frequent service replaces much of the 474/475 route and is extended to serve Darent Valley Hospital and Darenth. |
489 | Arriva | New Ash Green, Southfleet, Longfield to Gravesend | Withdrawal of the whole Sunday service The Monday to Saturday service is not covered by this contract Estimated saving: included in the Arriva 433 service savings (change linked to bus subsidy) | 12 February 2023 | Subject to outcome of KCC decision making process |
541 542 544 | Regents Coaches | Dover, Deal, Sandwich to Canterbury | Withdrawal of all journeys which operate on different days from Monday to Saturday for rural parts of Dover. | 12 February 2023 | KCC bus subsidy reduction. Estimated saving: £81,270 |
558 578 | Nu-Venture | Addington to Maidstone schools | Service withdrawn (expected commercial bus changes) | February 2023 | From February this service will operate from Barming to Maidstone only - no longer serving the villages in the West Malling area. |
Bus number | Operator | Route | Change and impact | Date of expected change | Latest update |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
634 | Regents Coaches | Studd Hill to Beltinge | Withdrawal of shopper service which operates between Studd Hill and Beltinge on a Thursday only. | 12 February 2023 | KCC bus subsidy reduction Estimated savings: £14,281 |
647 | Arriva | Iwade | Service withdrawn | February 2023 | Replacement service will be operated by Chalkwell |
662 | Chalkwell | Teynham to Faversham schools | Withdrawal of school day only service | 12 February 2023 | From 20 February Chalkwell will operate a new 355 service covering these areas. KCC bus subsidy reduction Estimated savings: £62,069 |
664 | Chalkwell | Conyer to Lynsted Primary School | Withdrawal of school day only service | 12 February 2023 | KCC bus subsidy reduction Estimated savings: £62,069 |
666 | Chalkwell | Faversham to Sheldwich School | Withdrawal of school day only service. Estimated savings: included in the savings of the 662 Chalkwell service. | 12 February 2023 | KCC bus subsidy reduction |
976 | Stagecoach | Swingfield Minnis to Folkestone Academy | Service withdrawn | February 2023 | Service withdrawn. Revised 73 service will cover passengers from Hawkinge. |
Bus number | Operator | Route | Change and impact | Date of expected change | Latest update |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Detling Shopper | Compaid | Detling to Maidstone | Withdrawal of Monday to Friday shopper bus from Detling Village to Maidstone | 12 February 2023 | KCC bus subsidy reduction Expected savings: £37,469 Compaid have registered a new Shopper service that will continue to operate without subsidy. |
E1 | Go Coach | Edenbridge town centre | Withdrawal of the whole Monday to Friday circular service around Edenbridge | 12 February 2023 | KCC bus subsidy reduction Expected savings: £141,363 |
HC2 | Go Coach | Dunton Green to Hugh Christie | Withdrawal of school day only service | 12 February 2023 | KCC bus subsidy reduction Expected savings: £43,700 |
HS7 HS8 | Chalkwell | Charing to Homewood School | Withdrawal of school services from Charing, Pluckley, Smarden and Biddenden into Homewood School | 12 February 2023 | KCC bus subsidy reduction Expected savings: £121,450 |
Sandwich Connect | Britannia | Staple, Sandwich to Northbourne | Withdrawal of the Sandwich Connect service which operates Monday to Friday to Sandwich from Northbourne, Staple and Ash. | 12 February 2023 | KCC bus subsidy reduction Expected savings: £51,657 |
Tenterden Hopper Service | Tenterden Social Hub | Tenterden village service | Withdrawal of the Tenterden Hopper Service which operates Monday to Friday and on 4 different routes to various villages just outside of Tenterden | 12 February 2023 | KCC bus subsidy reduction Expected savings: £50,934 |
TW9 | Go Coach | Langton Green to Tunbridge Wells | Withdrawal of school day only service | 12 February 2023 | KCC bus subsidy reduction. From February Go Coach will operate a new 234 service covering the same areas. |
X1 X2 | Arriva | Kings Hill to Maidstone | Withdrawal of the Monday to Friday service linking Kings Hill with Maidstone and West Malling Station, including the link to Maidstone schools. | 12 February 2023 | KCC bus subsidy reduction Expected savings: £207,721 |