Kent Bus Service Changes Spark Concerns Over Resident Vulnerability

Modifications to bus transport in Kent have prompted apprehension that individuals with health needs could be left “vulnerable”. Specific bus lines in Dover, including one that serves the local hospital, are undergoing revisions, with councillors stating that a partial reason is to facilitate the launch of a new fast track bus service. Jamie Pout, the deputy leader of Dover District Council (DDC), stated: “If people don’t know what’s going to happen with their regular bus service then they get frustrated, they panic, they don’t know how they’re going to get to work.” Stagecoach indicated that the introduction of the fast track service eliminated the justification for continuing the 61 bus in north Whitfield, given that it largely duplicated the new route. The Dover Fastrack bus service, scheduled to commence on Sunday, is set to link Whitfield with the town centre and railway station. Mr. Pout informed BBC Radio Kent: “We were sold a dream and I think we’ve been totally misled.” He further commented: “If they [residents] have got some really urgent health problem, they now don’t know how they are going to get to Buckland Hospital or elsewhere,.” “That puts people in a really vulnerable position and that’s totally unfair.” In addition to the 61 bus undergoing a route alteration and ceasing to serve north Whitfield, it is also slated to supersede the 62 service starting Sunday. The 64 service is additionally being divided into two separate routes and will run every hour. Stagecoach reported that the current service operating near Forge Lane and Nursery Lane was transporting an average of approximately two or three passengers per trip. The company stated that an alternative for north Whitfield residents was a bookable minibus service for travel to and from Tesco, and that it would collaborate with Kent County Council (KCC) to identify an additional resolution. Neil Baker, Kent County Council’s (KCC) cabinet member for highways and transport, commented that despite the authority lacking control over Stagecoach’s determination, it would be supplying an extra bus service for the locality.