Stagecoach has confirmed a number of timetable changes impacting Kent journeys that will come into effect later this month. From Sunday, January 12 there will be numerous alterations to services around Canterbury and the north Kent area.
Most of these will involve changes to bus times, which Stagecoach has stated will “help improve reliability and timekeeping”. Some of the most extensive alterations are planned for the 3/X3 services which link Canterbury and Faversham.
The Route 3 bus will no longer run during off-peak times. Stagecoach has stated this is due to low passenger numbers, meaning the bus operator can no longer sustain the half hourly daytime frequency along this route.
No alterations will be made to the number of peak or school-time buses however. Meanwhile, the X3 service will continue to run hourly and will be diverted to Dunkirk and Boughton, in addition to Upper and Lower Harbledown.
Bus times have also been altered to accommodate the opening of the new M2 junction 5 improvements at Stockbury. All of these changes come following the ticket fare hike which commenced from January 1.
A number of alterations to bus ticket pricing have been made, including an increase on the cap of single tickets from £2 to £3. Stagecoach has also scrapped return journey tickets entirely, stating that: “In most cases, two single tickets will offer the best value if you’re making a return trip.”
The popular ‘Kid for a Quid’ scheme, which previously offered unlimited daily travel for children travelling with an adult for just £1, has also been revised. Now the £1 fare will only be valid for one single bus journey.
Stagecoach DayRider tickets for local zones have increased in price, rising from £5.70 to £6, while seven-day MegaRider tickets have risen by £4, now costing £23.40. Another notable change is the removal of both the Dover and Deal, and the Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay 28-day MegaRider tickets – these previously cost £90.10.
The closest alternative for passengers will instead be the South East region MegaRider, which rose from £116.20 to £125.80 on January 1. Stagecoach has announced a number of other alterations to timetables impacting key Kent routes, the full details of which can be found below.
Changes to Stagecoach Kent timetables from January 12
Routes 3/3A/X3
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Route 3 buses (between Faversham and Canterbury) will no longer run during off-peak times. There will be no change to the number of peak- or school-time buses;
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The X3 will run hourly and re-route to serve Dunkirk and Boughton, in addition to Upper and Lower Harbledown;
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Alterations to bus times to account for the new M2 junction 5 improvements;
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Full 3/X3 timetable here .
Route 5
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The 3.10pm bus from Barton Court School will be renumbered 915 to match the morning service;
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The 3.50pm bus from Simon Langton Boys School will be renumbered 914 to match the morning service;
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The 6.25pm and 7.10pm buses from Canterbury to Seasalter will no longer run due to low usage. For the same reason, the Seasalter to Millstrood Road short bus journeys at 6.36pm, 6.51pm, 7.14pm, 7.25pm, and 8.51pm will also no longer run;
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Find the full updated Route 5 timetable here .
Route 22
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Stagecoach will double the frequency of Route 22 buses on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Buses will run every 30 minutes instead of hourly;
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The 8.37am school day bus journey will no longer run. Customers that use this bus can use the 953 or the earlier Route 22 bus at 8.27am;
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On Sundays and Bank Holidays the frequency of buses will increase to every 30 minutes;
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Check the full revised Route 22 timetable here .
Route 23
Route 25
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Buses will no longer operate after 8.20pm in the evenings. Daytime services fill be unaffected;
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Check the full Route 25 timetable here .
Route 36
Routes 600/601
Routes 602/603
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All route 602 buses will serve via Altira Retail Park;
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Following local feedback, some 603 school day-only journeys between Canterbury and Herne Bay will operate everyday;
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There will be minor changes to school-time buses;
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View the new route 602/603 timetable here .
School day Route 908
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Due to low usage, the afternoon journey will no longer operate. Passengers can instead catch the 955 bus to Canterbury city centre then a 600/601/602/603 service to Herne, Broomfield or Hillborough.
School day Route 955