“I completely understand the local disappointment and frustration over Stagecoach’s decision to change bus services in Dover.
“It has always been KCC’s ambition to make public transport more reliable for residents, which is what Dover Fastrack is built to provide – however, it is clear from these commercial developments that some local communities will be left out of having a service.
“Following conversations we’ve had with Stagecoach, we will be providing an additional timetabled bus service for the area affected in north Whitfield using Bus Service Improvement Plan funding.
“We have also had confirmation from Stagecoach that the operating hours of Dover Fastrack will be extended to coincide with the London high speed timetable in 2025.
“We, along with our partners behind the project, are hopeful that Dover Fastrack will reach its full potential in connecting communities and providing residents with reliable public transport services.”
Notes to editors
Stagecoach, in partnership with Kent County Council (KCC) and Dover District Council, is launching Dover Fastrack, a new rapid bus service that will connect Whitfield, Dover town centre and Dover Priory Station from Sunday 17 November 2024.
The buses will have priority over other traffic on the route with dedicated busways, minimising potential traffic delays on the service and allowing for a smoother service overall.
Changes to the road infrastructure
New road infrastructure has been provided to support the service, including the construction of Red Kite Road, Farmstead Way, improvements to Dover Road, and a new dedicated bridge for Fastrack services.
The new service will also benefit from the Pencester Road scheme, expected to be finished in February. Changes to Pencester Road will allow Dover Fastrack to serve Dover town centre more effectively with a route that provides bus priority and greater journey time reliability over other available routes.
Update on the 61 service
Dover Fastrack service will be partly replacing the Stagecoach route 61 service currently operating in the north Whitfield area (north of the A2). This includes the Cranleigh Drive and Alison Crescent areas.
Unfortunately, Stagecoach has decided the 61 service will no longer operate in the Forge Lane and Nursery Lane areas. KCC understand the level of public concern about Stagecoach's decision to make this change and work is taking place to provide an additional timetabled bus service linking north Whitfield with onward bus connections at Tesco. Further details will be provided when available.
In the meantime, residents in the area can use Stagecoach Connect (Demand Responsive Transport) minibus service to Whitfield Tesco (pre booking is required). More information on Stagecoach Connect can be found online at https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/south-east/stagecoach-connect or by calling the booking line on 01227 538631.
Fares
Until 1 January 2025, single tickets are up to £2. After this date, single tickets will be up to £3 in line with the National Bus Fare Cap Scheme by the Government.
Service information
From Sunday 17 November, the service will start from 06:20 and finish at 20:00 between Monday to Saturday. On Sunday, the service will start at 08:23 and finish after 19:30. Buses will run every 20 minutes between Monday to Saturday. Sunday services will run hourly.
The operating hours of Dover Fastrack will be extended to coincide with the London high speed timetable in 2025.
For more information on bus times, please visit the Stagecoach website at https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/south-east/service-changes-in-the-dover-folkestone-and-new-romney-area and search for route D.
