Kent County Council to Cut Supported Bus Services

Kent County Council (KCC) are "consulting" on a proposed reduction to their Supported Bus Services.

KCC's budget for the 2022/23 financial year was agreed on Thursday 10th February and included a reduction to the Supported Bus budget to £4.3m representing a decrease of £2.2 million. KCC currently spends about £6 million a year to contract services which are not profitable for bus companies but which the council thinks are important to the communities they serve.

The proposed changes mean 48 contracts have been selected for possible withdrawal from the budget.

Locally, the cuts within this that seem to impact Sandgate most are:

• a reduced evening service on the 17 from Folkestone to Canterbury (Withdrawal of four journeys operating Monday to Saturday evening between Folkestone and Canterbury starting with the 19:40 from Folkestone);
• the complete removal of the 111 Stagecoach Ashford to Folkestone Thursday only service operating via Mersham, Aldington, Lympne, West Hythe and Burmarsh, and;
• the removal of funding from the "Kent Karrier" (a membership-based dial-a-ride service offering transport for those in isolated rural areas or who because of age or disability cannot use buses and trains).

The consultation formally opens today [24th February] and will close on 20th April.

Visit www.kent.gov.uk/bussavings to view the full list of the services proposed to be withdrawn and take part in the consultation.

For queries or requests for hard copies, email bussavings@kent.gov.uk or call 03000 421437 referencing KCC Bus Funding Reduction.

For any alternative formats, email alternativeformats@kent.gov.uk or call 03000 42 15 53 (text relay service number 18001 03000 42 15 53).