They will come into force from Saturday 5 April and will build on the service reliability improvements delivered by the November 2024 timetable change.
A summary of the key changes include:
- Fastrack B will have no stops between Bluewater and Ebbsfleet International, providing a journey time saving of 12 minutes between Ebbsfleet International and Bluewater.
- A new shuttle service (Fastrack F) will run every 12 minutes to connect Bluewater, Greenhithe and Ingress Park. Through ticketing will be available between Fastrack B and F at no extra cost to service users, with a change of bus at Bluewater.
- Fastrack B to serve Temple Hill, replacing Fastrack C and serving the eastern half of Temple Hill in both directions.
- Fastrack B to increase in frequency to up to every 12 minutes (from every 15 minutes currently).
As well as delivering improved journey times and more frequent journeys between Gravesend, Ebbsfleet and Bluewater, this timetable change will also lay the groundwork for further changes expected in August 2025 on Route A.
From August (subject to the completion of the Fastrack busway in the Ebbsfleet Garden City), Fastrack A will extend from Bluewater to Gravesend via Castle Hill and Ebbsfleet International.
This will initially operate every 15 minutes and will be implemented from the April timetable change between Bluewater and Dartford via The Bridge prior to the August extension of Route A.
This change comes ahead of the introduction of the new electric fleet on Fastrack, which is due to be rolled out on Route B from late Spring, with further routes to follow.
These adjustments will have an impact on residents living near to Galley Hill Road, particularly in terms of connectivity. KCC has put in place a mechanism so users will not pay twice for what would usually be a single trip with interchange opportunities at Bluewater maximised.
“We know that the most important aspects of bus travel for passengers are value for money and journey times.”
Neil Baker, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, said: “The Galley Hill collapse has caused Fastrack significant operational issues. We know that the most important aspects of bus travel for passengers are value for money and journey times.
“Against the local trend, Fastrack has retained the £2 fare cap and these service changes will make journey times on Fastrack significantly quicker overall.
“We remain committed to all communities on our network and the measures taken to introduce the F shuttle service is a temporary solution until the reopening of Galley Hill.”
For a detailed breakdown of the changes on each route along with details of ticketing arrangements, please see www.kent-fastrack.co.uk/
