NEW BUSES: Just the ticket?

The buses are back, but not as we have known them in the past. 

These smaller vehicles will transport passengers around the local area, and link in with other bus and rail services. 

The minibuses can travel easily along narrow country roads. Rides have to be booked directly from the passenger’s smartphone by selecting the preferred pick-up and drop-off location. 

This is how it will work: 

• The passenger will use an app on their smart phone to book a journey – the service won’t run to a fixed timetable. Telephone bookings are available too. 

Local residents have voiced concerns about the new service. One commented on seeing the details: “Many of us don’t have access to smartphones and it seems to be a bit of a rigmarole to simply get a bus into Dover. 

“What if we have an urgent journey with no time to book? And my wife has a Bus Pass – will she be able to use it on this service?” 

• The service will connect with Stagecoach buses into Dover and Canterbury from either Whitfield or Aylesham. 

• The service will run from 0700 to 1900 Monday to Friday and 0900 to 1700 on Saturday. 

• The two minibuses will complement existing bus services. There will be space on the minibuses for push chairs and wheelchair access. 

• The app will display the price and time of each journey as well as track your journey. The buses will serve all current marked bus stops in this area as well as additional “virtual” stops. This service will be a pilot scheme.