The reliable, high-quality, and frequent Dover Fastrack bus service will coincide with the Dover Priory Station high speed service to London timetable to provide residents with feasible public transport options when commuting.
Kent County Council (KCC) is delivering the scheme in partnership with Dover District Council (DDC), funded through a £22.9 million grant from Homes England designed to help stimulate new housing growth in Whitfield and at the former Connaught Barracks site.
A dedicated fleet of five electric buses will be introduced on the route next year, with ultra-low emission buses temporarily used in the meantime. The new electric buses are supported with an £850,000 grant from the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme.
The service will make use of existing and new roads, as well as dedicated busways which will see the buses have priority over other traffic on the route.
To support and enhance the Dover Fastrack service, on 14 October 2024 KCC will be starting construction on the northbound bus contraflow in Pencester Road, Dover following public consultation last year. Funded from the Department for Transport through the Bus Service Improvement Plan, construction aims to be completed by Spring next year.
“Our ambition is to make it easier for people to choose public transport for their journeys before jumping in their car.”
Neil Baker, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, said: “Our ambition is to make it easier for people to choose public transport for their journeys before jumping in their car.
‘With the announcement of the launch of the Dover Fastrack, we are showing our commitment to connecting communities and providing residents with reliable public transport services.”
Cllr Jamie Pout, DDC’s Portfolio Holder for Transport, Licensing and Environmental Services said: “We welcome the investment in public transport in Dover, taking cars off the road and encouraging our residents to catch a bus.
The eventual introduction of electric buses will nicely complete this project by providing zero emission transport: a real alternative to the car for local journeys”
Matthew Arnold, Stagecoach South East's Business Development Director said "We're incredibly excited to be partnering with KCC and DCC on this signal project which will bring the very first fleet of zero emission electric buses to east Kent."
"This is a serious investment in a high quality, ultra-modern public transport solution and demonstrates what can be achieved where central and local government work together, alongside a commercial operator, to deliver something remarkable for local people."
The new roads, Red Kite Road linking Honeywood Parkway at Tesco’s roundabout to the new Richmond Park development and Farmstead Way linking Honeywood Parkway at the B&Q roundabout with Dover Road, will be opened to pedestrians and cyclists from 8 October 2024. Access for vehicles will be blocked off by temporary barriers to stop unauthorised use prior to 17 November 2024.
Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras will be in operation from the beginning of the service and enforcement action will be taken against any unauthorised vehicles using the bus only sections of the route.
