The open-top bus returns to Thanet this weekend with two routes.
From Saturday passengers will be able to sit back and savour the bracing sea views from an open-air top deck. They’ll have a choice of two bus routes. The 69 will be back running the same route as last season between Ramsgate Boating Pool and Broadstairs Stone Bay.
A new open-top bus, the number 37, will run from Margate Rail Station to Palm Bay serving Dreamland, Turner Contemporary and Cliftonville’s Eastern Esplanade.
Route 37 buses will arrive in time to meet high speed trains from St Pancras at Margate station.
To celebrate the launch of the double complement of open-toppers, 46 year two pupils from Newlands Primary School were given a special ride.
Stagecoach teamed up with Dreamland Margate to offer the kids a free trip there and back on the open-top bus. The pupils were visiting the park as part of their funfair heritage project.
Dreamland’s mascots, Teddy and Bett delighted the kids when they hopped on the bus at Turner Contemporary.
Philip Norwell, Stagecoach South East’s managing director, said: “Open-top buses were a popular part of the summer scene in Thanet during the 1960s and 70s. Last year we decided to bring them back and recreate a bit of nostalgia and a lot of fun for the summer holiday.
“The 69 route was popular last year; we carried over 15,000 passengers in the six week season. Our customers loved route 69 but they asked for an open-top route in Margate too – that’s why we’re running route 37.”
Both open-top bus routes run from Saturday until 3 September. Timetables are available at local outlets, on buses and online at www.stagecoachbus.com.