Stagecoach’s 44 service is set to launch on 20th September, providing a direct connection between Canterbury and Thanet – serving Wingham, Sandwich, Cliffsend, Ramsgate and Westwood Cross.
Ahead of the launch East Thanet MP Polly Billington visited the company’s Thanet depot, meeting the team behind the new service and welcoming the return of the direct Canterbury connection.
Polly has been campaigning for the direct bus link and more than 800 constituents signed her petition calling for the route to be restored.
The 44 service has been developed following discussions between Stagecoach, Kent County Council and local representatives, with the route designed to make better use of available resources while providing an important new connection for customers.
The aim is for it to also complement the existing hourly Service 43 between Canterbury and Sandwich, providing a combined 30-minute frequency between Canterbury and Sandwich.
The launch comes during Catch the Bus Month, an annual campaign highlighting the role buses play in connecting people with their communities, workplaces, education and local economies.
Joel Mitchell, Managing Director of Stagecoach South East, said: “Catch the Bus Month is a great time to celebrate what buses can make possible, and the launch of the new 44 is a fantastic example of the difference a direct bus connection can make to local communities.
“We were delighted to welcome Polly Billington to our Thanet depot as we prepare to put the new service on the road.
“We know how important this connection is to people in South Thanet. A direct bus to Canterbury can make it easier for people to access work, education, training and other opportunities, as well as connecting friends, families and communities.
“We’re pleased to have worked constructively with Kent County Council and local representatives to make the new 44 possible, and we’re looking forward to welcoming passengers on board when the service launches.”
Polly Billington MP said: “There couldn’t be a better time to welcome the return of a direct bus link between Canterbury and South Thanet than Catch the Bus Month.
“For more than two years I’ve been campaigning for this connection because I’ve heard from so many local people about the difference it could make to their lives. More than 800 constituents backed my petition, and restoring the Canterbury link was overwhelmingly the top priority in my residents’ bus survey.
“I’ve spoken to people who have had to turn down jobs and training opportunities because travelling to Canterbury by public transport was simply too difficult or expensive. A direct bus will help remove one of those barriers.
“It was fantastic to visit the Thanet depot and see the new Service 44 ahead of its launch. I’m delighted that, after years of campaigning, this important connection is finally returning, and I want to thank Stagecoach for listening to local people and working with us to make it happen.”
Other services
Last month Stagecoach confirmed that the 32 service, which was previously earmarked to be withdrawn, will continue thanks to funding from Kent County Council following talks with councillors and staff, including with Cliftonville division’s Cllr Rob Yates.
The off peak 9 service, which was also to be withdrawn, has been taken on by another bus operator on behalf of KCC.
But the 34 route will be curtailed at Westwood Cross and will run hourly and the 45/45a Broadstairs – Dumpton – Ramsgate – Discovery Park – Sandwich is withdrawn with a replacement service only covering part of the route.
The Stagecoach bus routes in Thanet being ‘revised’ – plus ‘new’ 44 service- from September 20
County councillor says Thanet’s 9 and 32 bus routes could be saved through KCC intervention
Garlinge pensioner says many elderly will be left ‘isolated and trapped’ if Stagecoach cuts Margate to Minnis Bay 32 bus service
East Thanet MP calls for Ramsgate to Canterbury bus to have full route restored using government funding allocation for Kent
County Councillor’s anger as number of Stagecoach Thanet routes to be reduced or withdrawn
What about Newington Estate, the 34 was our lifeline to get around the local area. Polly did it again left an area she is meant to be helping loose out on a regular bus route we had. Great job Labour and Stagecoach
The 44 is going through Newington
well done polly ,34 hourly is ridiculous today I had to go to new hub got 34 fine but timing is everything coming back after appointment I had to wait 15 mins for return bus at a stop with no seating and as a disabled pensioner found this hard however if this was the hourly service I would have had to use car as no way can i hang around for 45 mins to get a bus to get home. What is going to happen with all the school children leaving school as today is was full and if for some reason a child was kept behind at school and missed the bus they then have to wait an hour for the next one. The 34 covers millmead as well as the back of the hospital so no this is not acceptable just hourly, we already lost the 37 to Broadstairs and another company stepped in but a 2 hourly service so service for St Peters Rd and back of the hospital might just as well not exist for what good it will do. Ever wondered why people stopped using this service over the last change it was because it takes 35 mins to get from st peters rd to Cecil square via millmead
The return of a regular bus to Canterbury is a plus but around Thanet the bus service is fine if you happen to live on the Loop route, otherwise getting around Thanet by bus is a nightmare. Enter in a trip on the Stagecoach app to Broadstairs or Ramsgate town centres from where we live at the edges and Stagecoach tells us we have a 20 minute walk to tbe nearest bus stop. At least the 34 used to get us to Margate or Westwood half hourly. With an hour between each bus the car will remain an essential for all journeys, adding to the gridlock on our roads. No fun for those for whom driving themselves is not an option.
Hope the service is accessible for wheelchairs and scooters. Some of the buses used to have big steps
All buses must be low floor and compliant with the the PSV access regulations. Steps went out with the Routemaster.
This route juggling is just puttying over the cracks because of unfair funding and a lack of garage capacity at Stagecoach.
All buses have to be public service vehicle access regulations compliant and that has been so for sometime.All vehicles are low floor.Steps went out with the Routemaster. I don’t think Christine has been on a bus for sometime by all accounts.
I am afraid this another bit of puttying up the cracks of a fragile network.East Kent as a whole,receives less bus support than Sevenoaks. The three western districts receive 3 times the financial allocation of the 3 eastern Districts that make up East Kent.
Dover services are paying Peter to benefit Thanet’s Paul. This is not acceptable and Polly ought to understand this.