Kent County Council (KCC) has confirmed that its Public Transport Team has made arrangements to retain the Stagecoach Service 9: Ramsgate, Minster and Monkton (Monday to Saturday off-peak service) and Service 32: Minnis Bay and Margate (Monday to Saturday) – but viability will be assessed after six months.
In July, it was revealed that Stagecoach had notified Kent County Council that it would reducing and withdrawing a number of isle services from September 20.
A briefing to councillors said the changes that affect Thanet would be:
- Service 32 (Margate to Minnis Bay) : Withdrawn with impact of Garlinge and Minnis Bay being left unserved.
- Service 9 (Ramsgate to Dumpton) : Off peak service withdrawn with Minster/Monkton/Nethercourt Estate left unserved (edit: clarification is being sought whether this is 9/9X service)
- Service 34 (Ramsgate to Margate via Dane Valley) : Reduction in frequency from half hourly to hourly and curtailed at Westwood Cross.
- Service 43 (Canterbury to Sandwich) and 45 (Broadstairs to Sandwich) : Recast as service 44 providing hourly service between Canterbury and Westwood Cross.
Last month Stagecoach confirmed the 32 and 9 would continue to run following talks with the county council.
However, KCC has now revealed that the replacements for Services 9 and 32 have been secured for six months. During this period, KCC will monitor passenger numbers and assess the longer-term viability of the routes, while also reviewing how services can be delivered as efficiently as possible alongside other bus services in the area.
Cllr Luke Evans, who represents Birchington and Rural division, says he worked with Cllr Spencer Dixon, Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways, council officers and the bus operators to explore options for maintaining the services.
Cllr Evans said, “As soon as we found out about these withdrawals we have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that they were saved! These routes are a lifeline for my residents so we had to find a way to secure them.”
Cllr Dixon said: “The withdrawal of these services would have had a significant impact on communities across Thanet, particularly for residents who rely on buses to get to work, school, appointments and other essential services.
“As soon as we became aware that these routes were at risk, we worked with the operator to find a solution and ensure people were not left without a bus service.
“We’ve been able to protect important links between Ramsgate, Minster, Monkton, Minnis Bay and Margate. While we cannot replace every commercial service that is withdrawn, we will continue to focus our support where it is needed most and where it will have the greatest benefit for local residents.”
KCC says it prioritises support for routes where communities face losing all bus provision, and where school pupils could be left without a practical way of travelling to school. However, with limited funding available, the council has not been able to support routes where services are only being reduced or where alternative bus services are still available.
Supported by Government Bus Grant Funding, KCC invests around £13 million each year to support around 150 bus services across Kent that would not otherwise operate on a commercial basis.
Stagecoach will go ahead with the decision to curtail the 34 service at Westwood Cross and run hourly and the 45/45a Broadstairs – Dumpton – Ramsgate – Discovery Park – Sandwich will also be withdrawn with a replacement service only covering part of the route.
Stagecoach will introduce a new Service 44 connecting Canterbury with Thanet, saying this restores a direct link between communities including Ramsgate, Cliffsend and Westwood Cross.
The changes come into effect on September 20.
I think the number 9 should go from broadstairs to sandwich like the 45 does as residents of broadstairs won’t have a bus to go along pass the college or any schools near to dumpton park road or ever to sandwich technology school there only have the loop to get to college or get off to go to the school in dumpton park road would have to walk from greyhound pub stop
To be worthwhile the no.9 needs to run to Canterbury again. The limited service that now runs to Minster & Monkton is lightly used & barely justifies its existence.
Handing the 3 western districts 3 times the bus subsidy money, compared to the 3 eastern districts was not the best plan I have seen.
This could be a way of setting up things knowing that failure is likely, so don’t cheer just yet. If passengers don’t return in the numbers Stagecoach want, everything will shut down in 6 months.