Kent Bus Service Changes Bulletin - March, April, ,May and June 2023

Bus services in the UK operate in a de-regulated (privatised) environment outside of the control of KCC who do not license or contract operators or their services.

Bus operators are able to change or cancel or any service by giving 70 days’ notice to the Department for Transport. Operators will make decisions on what services to run, their routes and their frequencies based on commercial and operational considerations notably that the use of the service will cover the costs of operation.

The bus industry in the UK is facing a very challenging period of increasing fuel and driver costs, reduced levels of use and a shortage of drivers and this is leading to high volumes of service reductions and cancellations.

Although operators can make these changes without the permission of KCC who cannot therefore resist them and cannot commit to securing replacement services, the Council are keen to ensure that bus users and other stakeholders are aware of pending changes.

This summary identifies any change to a bus service that has been registered by an operator to take place in March, April, May and June 2023. It includes all changes from minor timetable changes to whole service cancellations.

Other sources of more detailed information including operator’s websites are included at the end of this email and a more descriptive summary of the major changes to services can be found at;

https://www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/travelling-around-kent/bus-travel/bus-services-in-kent

Summary of Bus Service Changes : March, April, May and June 2023

For Further Information