Explore Kent By Public Transport

Kent County Council (KCC) has stepped in to protect vital bus links after a number of commercial services run by local bus companies were withdrawn, ensuring communities remain connected and children can continue getting to school.Working with local bus operators, KCC has arranged alternative services for routes serving residents in East Malling, East Peckham, Kingswood, Boughton Monchelsea and Grafty Green, helping to make sure people can continue to access schools, jobs, healthcare and other essential services.The Council has prioritised routes where communities risked being left without a bus service or where school pupils could have been left without a practical way to travel.Assisted by Government Bus Grant Funding, KCC already invests around £13 million every year supporting around 150 bus services across Kent that would not otherwise run. While bus companies decide which commercial services they operate, KCC works to protect important local connections where it can and has moved quickly to secure replacement arrangements where the impact on residents would be greatest.The replacement services in place are as follows:The Brookline-operated 4A service between East Malling and East Peckham, which currently runs on schooldays, is being withdrawn. KCC has secured a replacement service, which will be operated by Nu-Venture from September as part of its service 4 operation.Nu-Venture will also operate a replacement 575 service, ensuring there is enough capacity for students who previously travelled on the Arriva service.A new service, numbered 75, will replace part of the withdrawn Arriva network and maintain a bus link for residents of Clare Park in East Malling. The service will run between East Malling and Maidstone Town Centre via Maidstone Hospital.Nu-Venture will also provide a replacement 559 service following the withdrawal of Arriva services 59 and 89. This will help pupils from Grafty Green, Boughton Monchelsea and Kingswood continue to travel to schools in Maidstone through connections at Parkwood.KCC is continuing to work on solutions for communities affected by service withdrawals in Thanet. Further details will be announced as soon as arrangements have been finalised.Spencer Dixon, KCC Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: "We've acted quickly to make sure people are not left without the bus services they rely on."KCC already supports around 150 bus services across Kent because we know how important they are to local communities. When we became aware that some areas could lose their only bus links, we got straight to work with operators to find practical solutions."We've been able to secure replacement services in a number of areas and, most importantly, make sure children can still get to school and communities stay connected."We can't replace every service that a commercial operator chooses to withdraw, but where the impact on residents is greatest, we'll always look at what can be done and work hard to find a solution."

Kent County Council (KCC) is supporting a series of bus fare promotions to make it easier and more affordable for people to travel around Kent this summer.Whether it’s visiting to the Hop Festival in Swale, the Food and Drink Festival in Deal, or exploring attractions across the county, cheaper bus tickets are available to help residents and visitors make the most of their day out.What’s Running This Summer?We are working with Stagecoach on several promotions including:Thanet (Loop service): £2 flat single fare on all weekends and Bank Holidays in AugustFolkestone and Hythe (Routes 102, 103,104 & 105): Special August £5 Day Ticket throughout AugustSwale (X3 service): £2 flat fare on Wednesday 5, and Thursday 6 September 2026 supporting the Hop FestivalDover (Deal Town Network): £2 flat fare on journeys starting and finishing in Deal, between Friday 28, and Sunday 30 August 2026 to support the Deal Food and Drink FestivalThere are also additional journeys on some Go Bus services including:Sevenoaks, and Tonbridge and Malling (Services 1 and 401): Additional Saturday and Sunday services serving Chartwell during August and September. For further details, visit the GoBus website.Spencer Dixon, KCC’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: "Summer is a great time to explore Kent, and we want travel to be as affordable and convenient as possible.“These discounted fares will help residents and visitors reach festivals, attractions and coastal destinations across the county while supporting our wider ambition to encourage more people to use public transport and reduce congestion on Kent's roads."The discounts are part of a wider programme of support KCC is delivering from funding secured by the government to encourage people to use public transport when travelling to major events across Kent.Earlier this month, KCC funded free shuttle bus services from Maidstone and Sittingbourne to help visitors attend the Kent County Show. Passengers could also travel to the Maidstone River Festival for £1.Residents and visitors can also Reach the Beach in Folkestone for less. The initiative offers £1 single adult bus tickets on Stagecoach routes 102 and 103 from Folkestone Central Station, and route 10 from Folkestone West Station to the Harbour until Sunday 30 August 2026.Families can also make the most of the summer holidays on the Isle of Sheppey with affordable bus travel connecting communities and attractions across the island.KCC is supporting Travelmasters' 360 Sunday service, which will operate throughout the summer, offering passengers a flat fare of just £2 per journey.

Families can enjoy more affordable days out this summer with free bus travel for all children aged 15 and under on participating bus services across Kent.Starting from 1 August to 31 August 2026, families will be able to save on the cost of travel whether they're heading to the coast, visiting attractions or meeting friends.This is part of this government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme, which is taking place across the whole of England to help people enjoy days out for less.Some of the operators participating in Kent include Fastrack, Arriva, Stagecoach, NuVenture, Chalkwell and GoAhead.Spencer Dixon, KCC’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport said: “We’re pleased to support this Government-funded initiative, which gives children and young people aged 15 and under the opportunity to travel by bus for free throughout August.“As well as helping families save money during the school holidays, free bus travel makes it easier for young people to access activities, attractions and days out across Kent. It’s a great way to encourage more people to use public transport, helping build confidence in bus travel while supporting more sustainable journeys across the county.”Check each operator’s website for further information.Find out more about the Great British Summer Savings scheme.