Petition launched to save one of three Thanet bus routes under threat of being axed

A petition has been launched to save one of the Thanet bus services planned for the axe by Kent County Council.

The 38 and 38A bus runs from Palm Bay – Ramsgate – Manston – Birchington but the KCC subsidy for the route is likely to be withdrawn from September next year.

The service is one of three Thanet “Socially Necessary Bus Services (SNBS)” in a list of 74 which Kent County Council proposes to cut in a bid to save £4million. These contracts currently provide 1.6m journeys per annum.

Thanet services

The isle services for removal are the 38, 38A Palm Bay – Ramsgate – Manston – Birchington, the 42, 42A Monkton – Ramsgate and the 36 Herne Bay – Margate / QEQM Hospital.

Beacon Ward councillor Jenny Matterface has created the petition to save the 38 and 38a,

She said: “I consider it to be a vital link for many who don’t have transport of their own. Bear in mind also, it links two GPs surgeries ( Montefiore on Dumpton Park Drive and Bethesda at Palm Bay ) which are possibly part of the proposal for the super-surgeries. Neither will be accessible other than by car or bicycle if the route is cut or reduced.

Consultation

If Cabinet members agree the proposals to withdraw services, a public consultation will take place from January 17, 2018 until March 27, 2018.

Consultation could mean amendments to the proposals which would be made in April 2018 and finalised by the Cabinet committee members in May 2018.

In June 2018 contract withdrawal notices will go to operators running the routes that are eventually agreed for the axe with the end of those services coming into effect from September 2018.