News

Changes to Bus Services in Kent

Bus services in the UK operate in a de-regulated (privatised) environment outside of the control of KCC who do not license or contract operators or their services.

 

Bus operators are able to change or cancel any service by giving 70 days’ notice to the Department for Transport. Operators will make decisions on what services to run, their routes and their frequencies based on commercial and operational considerations notably that the use of the service will cover the costs of operation.

 

Although operators can make these changes without the permission of KCC who cannot therefore resist them and cannot commit to securing replacement services, the Council are keen to ensure that bus users and other stakeholders are aware of pending changes.

 

This summary identifies any change to a bus service that has been registered by an operator to take place in June, July, August and September 2025. It includes all changes from minor timetable changes to whole service cancellations.  

 

Other sources of more detailed information including operator’s websites are included at the end of this email and a more descriptive summary of the major changes to services can be found at;

 

https://www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/travelling-around-kent/bus-travel/bus-services-in-kent

 

Summary of Bus Service Changes : June, July, August September 2025

 

Service Changes Affecting Buses in Kent From 01/06/2025 Until 30/09/2025

Service                   Operator                               Route Description Type of Change         Reason for Change                   Start Date

(80, 80B), 81, 81E      Stagecoach in East Kent             Dover – Sandwich KCC Change             Route and Timetable Change      27 July 2025

10, 10A                   Stagecoach in East Kent             Folkestone – Ashford                   KCC Change                            Route and Timetable Change      06 July 2025

101                        Arriva Kent and Surrey Ltd          Gillingham – Maidstone                KCC Change                            Timetable Change 24 July 2025

104, 105                 Stagecoach in East Kent             Dover – Hythe Operator Change      Route and Timetable Change      22 June 2025

133, 633                 Arriva Kent and Surrey Ltd          Cliffe – Chatham Operator Change      Timetable Change                    24 July 2025

140, 141, 700           Arriva Kent and Surrey Ltd          Chatham – Bluewater                KCC Change                            Timetable Change 24 July 2025

15                         Stagecoach in East Kent             Dover – Canterbury               Operator Change                     Timetable Change 06 July 2025

175, 176, 177           Arriva Kent and Surrey Ltd          Gillingham – Walderslade             KCC Change                            Timetable Change 24 July 2025

18A                       Stagecoach in East Kent             Canterbury – Ashford                   KCC Change                            Route and Timetable Change      06 July 2025

190                        Arriva Kent Thameside              Gravesend – Chatham                  KCC Change                            Timetable Change 01 June 2025

2                           Stagecoach in East Kent             Ashford – Tenterden                KCC Change                            Route and Timetable Change      06 July 2025

258                        Hams Travel                           Kilndown – Uplands College         KCC Change                            Route and Timetable Change      01 September

2025

281                        Arriva Kent and Surrey Ltd          High Brooms – Rusthall                   Operator Change                     Timetable Change 31 August 2025

284                        Metrobus                              Tunbridge Wells – Pembury Hospital       Operator Change                     Timetable Change 07 June 2025

289                        Go-Coachhire Ltd                     Ramslye – Southborough           Operator Change                     Timetable Change 01 September

2025

295                        Hams Travel                           Cranbrook – Homewood School     Operator Change                     Service Withdrawn               22 July 2025

3, S3                      Go-Coachhire Ltd                     Locksbottom – Sevenoaks                KCC Change                            Timetable Change 01 September

2025

360                        Chalkwell                               Sheerness – Warden Bay              KCC Change                            New Service 20 July 2025

4                           Brookline Coaches                   Aylesford – Bennet Memorial School        Operator Change                     Service Withdrawn               30 August 2025

4                           Hams Travel                           Aylesford – Bennet Memorial School        KCC Change                            New Service 01 September

2025

414, 414A                Arriva Kent Thameside              South Darenth – Dartford                   KCC Change                            Timetable Change 01 June 2025

46                         Stagecoach South                    Guildford – Farnham                  KCC Change                            Route and Timetable Change      09 June 2025

477                        Arriva Kent Thameside              Dartford – Orpington                Operator Change                     Route and Timetable Change      01 June 2025

477                        Go-Coachhire Ltd                     Dartford – Swanley Operator Change      New Service                           01 September

2025

02 July 2025                                                                  Page 1 of 4

 

Service                   Operator                               Route Description Type of Change         Reason for Change                   Start Date

480.490. 491, (497)    Arriva Kent Thameside              Dartford – Valley Drive                       Operator Change                     Route and Timetable Change      01 June 2025

481                        Arriva Kent Thameside              Riverview Park – Bluewater                Operator Change                     Timetable Change 01 June 2025

482, 483                 Arriva Kent Thameside              Bluewater – Kings Farm                       Operator Change                     Route and Timetable Change      01 June 2025

489                        Arriva Kent Thameside              Gravesend – New Ash Green                KCC Change                            Service Withdrawn               01 June 2025

489                        Go-Coachhire Ltd                     New Ash Green – Gravesend                KCC Change                            New Service 02 June 2025

5                           Arriva Kent and Surrey Ltd          Maidstone – Hawkhurst                KCC Change                            Route and Timetable Change      22 June 2025

500                        Stagecoach in East Kent             Ashford – Dymchurch               KCC Change                            Route and Timetable Change      23 July 2025

503                        Stagecoach in East Kent             Ashford – William Harvey Hospital         KCC Change                            Route and Timetable Change      06 July 2025

51                         Crosskeys Coaches Ltd               Folkestone West Station – Harbour Arm Operator Change                     New Service 19 July 2025

511, 511A, 511B        Stagecoach in East Kent             Ashford – Lydd KCC Change             Route and Timetable Change      06 July 2025

525                        Stagecoach in East Kent             Ashford – Aldington                 KCC Change                            Route and Timetable Change      06 July 2025

58, (72)                   Nu Venture Coaches                 Wrotham – Maidstone                Operator Change                     Route and Timetable Change      23 June 2025

6, 6H                      Arriva Kent and Surrey Ltd          Tunbridge Wells – Maidstone                Operator Change                     Timetable Change 31 August 2025

6, S6                      Go-Coachhire Ltd                     Sevenoaks – Noahs Ark                         KCC Change                            Timetable Change 01 September

2025

600, 601                 Stagecoach in East Kent             Canterbury – Greenhill                  Operator Change                     Route and Timetable Change      15 June 2025

601, 602, 603           Nu Venture Coaches                 Cliffe – Hoo Academy                  Operator Change                     Route and Timetable Change      01 September

2025

64                         Stagecoach in East Kent             Dover – River Operator Change      Timetable Change                    06 July 2025

666                        Stagecoach in East Kent             Faversham – Ashford                   KCC Change                            Route and Timetable Change      06 July 2025

69                         Stagecoach in East Kent             Minnis Bay – Cliffsend                  Operator Change                     Route and Timetable Change      19 July 2025

7                           Nu Venture Coaches                 Maidstone – Barming                   Operator Change                     Service Withdrawn               23 June 2025

82, 82A, 84, 85         Stagecoach in East Kent             Upper Deal/Sandown/Worth – Kingsdown                            KCC Change Route and Timetable Change                                  27 July 2025

964                        Stagecoach in East Kent             Ashford – Lenham School                     KCC Change                            Route and Timetable Change      06 July 2025

968                        Stagecoach in East Kent             Ashford – Highworth School       KCC Change                            Route and Timetable Change      06 July 2025

970                        Stagecoach in East Kent             Willesborough – Homewood School     KCC Change                            Route and Timetable Change      06 July 2025

A                           London General                       Dartford – Bluewater                KCC Change                            Route and Timetable Change      16 August 2025

AZ                         London General                       Dartford – Gravesend                KCC Change                            Timetable Change 16 August 2025

B, N                       London General                       Temple Hill – Gravesend                KCC Change                            Route and Timetable Change      16 August 2025

D                          Stagecoach in East Kent             Dover – Whitfield KCC Change             Timetable Change                    06 July 2025

02 July 2025                                                                  Page 2 of 4

 

Service                   Operator                               Route Description Type of Change         Reason for Change                   Start Date

D12                       Go-Coachhire Ltd                     Swanley – Dartford Grammar Schools       Operator Change                     Timetable Change 01 September

2025

D29                       Go-Coachhire Ltd                     Dartford – Swanley Operator Change      Timetable Change                    01 September

2025

D30                       Go-Coachhire Ltd                     Dartford – West Kingsdown                KCC Change                            Timetable Change 01 September

2025

E                           London General                       Gravesend – Bluewater                KCC Change                            Route and Timetable Change      16 August 2025

F                           London General                       Ingress Park – Bluewater                KCC Change                            Timetable Change 16 August 2025

FH1                       Faversham Town Council           Oare – Faversham Operator Change      Route and Timetable Change      03 September

2025

FH2                       Faversham Town Council           Oare – Faversham – Teynham                Operator Change                     Route and Timetable Change      02 September

2025

L2                          Brookline Coaches                   Headcorn – Lenham School          KCC Change                            New Service 01 September

2025

L2                          Starline                                 Headcorn – The Lenham School          Operator Change                     Service Withdrawn               31 August 2025

L3                          Brookline Coaches                   Madginford – Lenham School          KCC Change                            New Service 01 September

2025

L3                          Starline                                 Madingford – The Lenham School          Operator Change                     Service Withdrawn               31 August 2025

P1                         Stagecoach in East Kent             Sturry Road P&R – Canterbury City Centre KCC Change                            Timetable Change 15 June 2025

P1                         Stagecoach in East Kent             Sturry Road P&R – Canterbury               KCC Change                            Timetable Change 03 August 2025

S10                        Go-Coachhire Ltd                     Sutton At Hone – Trinity School            KCC Change                            Timetable Change 01 September

2025

S12                        Go-Coachhire Ltd                     Trinity School – Crockenhill               KCC Change                            Timetable Change 01 September

2025

S2                         Go-Coachhire Ltd                     Sevenoaks – Shoreham                KCC Change                            Timetable Change 01 September

2025

S32                        Go-Coachhire Ltd                     Trinity School – Orpington                KCC Change                            Timetable Change 01 September

2025

S34                        Go-Coachhire Ltd                     Trinity School – Pratts Bottom            KCC Change                            Timetable Change 01 September

2025

S4                         Go-Coachhire Ltd                     Sevenoaks – Shipbourne               KCC Change                            Timetable Change 01 September

2025

S41                        Go-Coachhire Ltd                     Trinity School – Edenbridge               KCC Change                            Timetable Change 01 September

2025

02 July 2025                                                                  Page 3 of 4

 

Service                   Operator                               Route Description Type of Change         Reason for Change                   Start Date

S5                         Go-Coachhire Ltd                     Trinity School – Sevenoaks Weald       KCC Change                            Timetable Change 01 September

2025

S7                         Go-Coachhire Ltd                     Westerham – Trinity School            KCC Change                            Route and Timetable Change      01 September

2025

S8                         Go-Coachhire Ltd                     Westerham – Trinity School            KCC Change                            Route and Timetable Change      01 September

2025

T3                         Go-Coachhire Ltd                     Knockholt – Weald of Kent School           KCC Change                            Timetable Change 01 September

2025

TW1                      Go-Coachhire Ltd                     Noahs Ark – Bennet Memorial       KCC Change                            Timetable Change 01 September

2025

TW3                      Go-Coachhire Ltd                     Swanley – Bennet Memorial School        KCC Change                            Timetable Change 01 September

2025

TW4                      Go-Coachhire Ltd                     Westerham – Tunbridge Wells         KCC Change                            Timetable Change 01 September

2025

TW6                      Go-Coachhire Ltd                     Knockholt – Tunbridge Wells Schools                                          KCC Change Timetable Change     01 September

2025

X33                        Nu Venture Coaches                 Maidstone – Detling Showground   Operator Change                     Timetable Change 04 July 2025

 

 

02 July 2025              Page 4 of 4

 

For Further Information

 

Bus Service Information  
National Traveline https://www.traveline.info/
Bus Times.Org https://bustimes.org/regions/SE
Operator  Websites  
1st Bus Stop https://www.1stbusstop.co.uk/routes/
Arriva https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/
Arriva London https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/
ASD Coaches https://asdcoaches.co.uk/
Bayliss Executive Travel https://www.baylissexecutivetravel.co.uk/services/deal-school-bus-service/
Brian Jones Coaches https://brianjonescoaches.com/
Brighton & Hove Buses https://www.buses.co.uk/
Britannia Coaches https://britannia-coaches.co.uk/
Brookline https://brooklinecoaches.co.uk/
Centaur Commute https://www.centaurtravel.co.uk/commute-by-coach/commuting-routes-times-and-fares
Chalkwell https://chalkwell.co.uk/bus-services/
Compaid https://www.compaid.org.uk/accessible-transport/
Compass Travel https://www.compass-travel.co.uk/
Crosskeys Coaches https://www.crosskeys.uk.com/
Ensignbus https://www.ensignbus.com/bus-service—at-a-glance.html
Farleigh Coaches https://farleighcoaches.com/bus-services/
Go Ahead London https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/
Go Coach https://www.go-coach.co.uk/
Hams Travel https://hamstravel.com/
Kent Coach Tours https://kentcoachtours.co.uk/bus-services/
London General https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/
Metrobus https://www.metrobus.co.uk/
Nu Venture http://www.nu-venture.co.uk/
R&J Coaches https://www.randjcoachesltd.co.uk/
Redroute Buses http://www.redroutebuses.co.uk/services
Redwing Coaches https://www.redwing-coaches.co.uk/commuter-service
Regent Coaches https://regentcoaches.com/
Scotland and Bates https://www.scotlandandbatescoaches.co.uk/
Southdown PSV https://www.southdown.net/
Spot Hire https://www.spottravel.co.uk/
Stagecoach https://www.stagecoachbus.com/
Stagecoach London https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/
Tenterden Social Hub https://www.mytenterden.co.uk/directory/tenterden-hopper-service-listing-1626.aspx#.Y-DnYhfP2M8
Travelmasters http://www.travel-masters.co.uk/school.htm

 

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Mya Ojo

Public Transport Support Officer | Public Transport | Kent County Council | St Michael’s Close | Aylesford, ME20 7BU | Tel: 03000 410 161