Rural bus routes face axe to balance the books
Fare changes anger parents
It could be all change for passengers using buses in Maidstone – if the borough council gets its way.
Maidstone council looks set to support plans to slash countywide public transport budgets in order to balance the books.
Cutting evening services on Arriva’s 89 route between Maidstone and Coxheath, which also serves Loose Road and Linton, would save Kent County Council £23,677.
Transport bosses have pledged to re-route existing services through Coxheath to ensure no passengers are left stranded.
In a Maidstone Borough Council report, planning officer Steve Clarke said: “The council is satisfied the proposed changes to the 89 appear to be adequately compensated by diverting another route through the village.
“As long as the changes are adequately signposted to current evening users and doesn’t result in any loss of service, then the council does not object.”
He added the authority hopes money from section 106 agreements, raised through large housing developments in the area, will make it possible to reinstate commercial services.
Most services in the county are run commercially by firms like Arriva and Nu-Venture, but for about 30 years the county council has given a subsidy towards running routes which are not commercially viable, but considered important to communities and passengers. Across the county, KCC has identified savings of £680,000 from the budget without reducing routes – often considered a lifeline in rural areas. But that falls short of a £1m savings target.
Nu- Venture’s 123 service between Kings Hill and West Malling railway station would also be withdrawn, saving £77,748 a year, but a new fast-track route is tipped to take its place.
The consultation closed in May and plans will be considered by KCC members in August.
Maidstone council officers have already agreed the response, but councillors will be asked to note the feedback at the strategic planning, sustainability and transportation committee, at the Town Hall, on Tuesday at 6.30pm. Arriva buses has announced changes to its fares – some of which have left Kent parents furious.
Short-hop fares from the edges of towns into the town centres will be reduced from 80p to 50p.
Users of the Maidstone Plus ticket will benefit as the annual ticket will go down from £800 to £600 – but, this will only apply to new commuters.
Current holders of the Maidstone Zone ticket will see an increase in fares allowing them the freedom to travel further across the region.
Parents will have to fork out an extra £4 as the £10 “Kids Go Cheap” offer comes to an end, which sparked a reaction on Twitter with some claiming the cost of day trips over the summer months will be too much.