A Step Towards Earlier Buses from Sandgate to Folkestone

I've had a really positive response from Stagecoach to a request to start services from Sandgate to Folkestone a little earlier in the mornings.

Currently, the first bus from Sandgate High Street "The Crescent" stop departs at 6.57am (weekdays - it's later on Saturday and much later on Sunday's and Bank Holidays). That bus therefore arrives in Central Folkestone after 7am, making catching the bus impractical for those starting work at 7am.

In the opposite direction, the first bus from Sandgate to Hythe arrives in Hythe well before 7am.

Having put this to Stagecoach, I've had a reply back from the Commercial Director of Stagecoach in Kent today accepting that this an issue, and committing to "endeavour to make improvements when we next adjust the timetable."

I really hope they can get a service running to get people to work before 7am - preferably even including weekends and bank holidays, but that may not be possible immediately. It's really important as the economy picks up that not only are new jobs created, but that people can get to them: on time!

Clearly, the next timetable change may be a while away and we will have to see what improvements it will bring to early morning services from Sandgate to Folkestone, but it sounds promising...