Explore Kent By Public Transport

Kent County Council (KCC) has awarded the £18.6 million contract to Erith Contractors Limited to deliver the major Bean Road Underpass project - a key element of the Fastrack programme, which aims to improve sustainable transport links across Kent Thameside.Part funded by the Department for Transport, the project supports KCC’s Bus Service Improvement Plan, designed to encourage greater bus use and make Kent’s services more sustainable for the future. Further funding has been provided by Ebbsfleet Development Corporation and Bluewater, plus a contribution from Eastern Quarry Ltd.The Bean Road Underpass will create a new 75-metre tunnel beneath the B255 Bean Road, connecting Whitecliffe (formerly Eastern Quarry) with Bluewater Shopping Centre. This direct link will form part of the Fastrack bus rapid transit system, improving connectivity between new residential developments, Bluewater, and Ebbsfleet International Railway Station.The underpass will include a Fastrack busway, as well as a footway and cycleway.Peter Osborne, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “This £18.6 million investment marks one of the most significant infrastructure projects in Kent Thameside in recent years. The Bean Road Underpass will transform how people travel across the area, creating faster, greener connections between new communities, Bluewater, and Ebbsfleet International.‘Thanks to funding from the Department for Transport, Ebbsfleet Development Corporation and Bluewater, plus a contribution from Eastern Quarry Ltd, this project will deliver long-term benefits for residents, businesses, and visitors.”Pre-construction survey works will need to take place from January to allow essential monitoring equipment and rock netting to be installed ahead of the main tunnelling works, which are scheduled to begin in Summer 2026.For the safety of the teams carrying out the works, staggered lane closures will need to be in place on the B255 and Bluewater Parkway for up to five months.To reduce the impact on road users, the works have been carefully planned to minimise disruption where possible, including nighttime closures where possible.For more information about this project, visit: Bean Road Fastrack Scheme - Kent County Council.

Kent County Council (KCC), in partnership with Stagecoach, is enhancing public transport connectivity in Dover with an extended Fastrack timetable that better aligns with Southeastern’s High Speed services from Dover Priory.From Monday 8 December, the Fastrack timetables will be extended seven days a week. Monday to Saturday services will be timed to meet the first and last High Speed Rail services to and from London.This update marks a significant milestone, with Dover Fastrack now reaching its full intended timetable, having previously been made shorter. The improved schedule will make it easier for passengers to transfer between bus and rail, creating smoother, more efficient journeys and supporting the local community’s access to London.In addition, a new trial bus service, Route 66, operated by Stagecoach, will launch to the Port of Dover, offering a direct and convenient link to one of the UK’s busiest transport hubs. This pilot route is dependent on passenger uptake to ensure its continuation – residents and visitors are encouraged to use the service to help secure its future.As part of the wider network update, Route 67 shuttle service will be withdrawn on Friday 5 December due to consistently low passenger numbers. Introduced last year as a 12-month trial funded through the overall Dover Fastrack budget, the service was subject to review based on usage.To help maintain connectivity for areas previously covered by Route 67, the new Port of Dover service will include Whitfield. Buckland Hospital and the River area will continue to be served by Route 64, ensuring ongoing access to public transport.Spencer Dixon, Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “I’m pleased to see Dover Fastrack reaching its full potential with this extended timetable. These improvements will make public transport more reliable and accessible for residents, especially those commuting to and from London.‘The new link to the Port of Dover is an exciting addition, which I encourage everyone to use to help ensure its long-term success. Maintaining connectivity is a top priority for KCC. We are thankful to Stagecoach that the Port of Dover service includes Whitfield, and that other areas such as Buckland Hospital and River continue to be served.”Joel Mitchell, Managing Director for Stagecoach South East, said: “We are pleased to be introducing the new Route 66 as a pilot, which strengthens local connections and provides an important link to the Port of Dover. We recognised the need to maintain access for communities previously served by Route 67, which is why we ensured Whitfield is included within the new route. We’re committed to supporting Dover’s transport network and look forward to welcoming customers on board.”For more information and the new timetables visit:  Fastrack timetable extension and new Port of Dover service | Stagecoach

The new bus lane on Pencester Road in Dover is now complete and will start to be used by Dover Fastrack from Sunday 20 April.The Pencester Road Bus priority scheme will improve the reliability of Dover Fastrack and will allow better access to the town centre and connections to existing bus services throughout Dover.The scheme has included:adding a contraflow bus and cycle lane along Pencester Roadadding a new northbound bus stop on Pencester Road outside Poundlandrealigning kerbs and pavements at the Biggin Street and Maison Dieu Road junctionsinstalling traffic lights and improved pedestrian crossings in the areaThe new junction signals will be switched on during Saturday 19 April, prior to the opening of the bus lane.Simon Jones, Kent County Council’s Corporate Director, Growth, Environment and Transport, said: “The new bus lane on Pencester Road will be ready for buses to use from Sunday 20 April. The bus lane will support Stagecoach to improve the local bus network, giving local people more reliable and well-connected bus services in Dover.”Stagecoach is currently making arrangements to transfer the Fastrack service to the new bus lane. The updated timetable will be available on their website before the start date: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/timetables.