Celebrating 20 years of Fastrack in Kent
26 Mar 26
Kent’s Fastrack bus network is marking a major milestone by celebrating 20 years since the buses first began rolling through Dartford and Gravesham.
On 26 March 2006, the very first Fastrack bus set off on Route B, linking Temple Hill and Gravesend via Dartford and Bluewater. In its first week, it exceeded expectations by carrying more than 23,000 passengers.
Just over a year later, demand for the service led to the creation of Route A, which launched on 3 June 2007, connecting Dartford and Bluewater via The Bridge Estate and Greenhithe.
The first Fastrack buses started running in 2006. Credit: Darren Walker
Since those early days, Fastrack has grown to provide the transport option for more new developments, including Ingress Park, Springhead Park, Littlebrook and most recently Whitecliffe, with seven Fastrack routes currently running (A, B, D, E, F, N and AZ).
While most are in the Kent Thameside area, on 17 November 2024 Fastrack was expanded to serve Dover. Fastrack D provides a frequent, reliable connection between Dover town centre and Whitfield, supporting an area undergoing major housing expansion. Over the coming years the network is expected to grow further as more developments come forward.
Over its 20‑year history, Fastrack services have been operated by four bus companies including Arriva, Go‑Ahead, Go Coach and Stagecoach, each contributing to meeting the evolving needs of growing communities in the areas they serve.
Fastrack D provides a connection between Dover town centre and Whitfield. Credit: Jack Hymers
Success in numbers
For the first full year of Routes A and B, just under 1.1 million trips were forecast; instead, the network carried 1.75 million.
In 2025, Fastrack recorded 2.88 million journeys across all routes.
In 2026, ridership is expected to exceed 3 million for the first time.
A model built for sustainability
Fastrack was developed to enable sustainable growth in areas experiencing heavy congestion. Its dedicated bus lanes, signal priority at junctions and frequent, reliable services offer a viable alternative to car travel for local journeys.
This has helped unlock major housing and commercial developments, including Ebbsfleet Garden City and Whitfield, by supporting a higher share of local trips than a typical bus service.
A silver Route B Fastrack bus was part of the 2019 fleet. Credit: Darren Walker
Peter Osborne, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport said: “Twenty years on from that very first journey, Fastrack has grown into a public transport success story. The distinctive buses have carried millions of people, helped new communities find their feet, eased congestion and supported the growth of our towns. We’re proud of how far the service has come, and we hope residents will continue to enjoy and make the most of Fastrack for many years to come.”
Keep an eye out for upcoming Fastrack events celebrating the milestone which will be announced throughout 2026.
Find out more about Fastrack:
Fastrack Kent Thameside (Dartford & Gravesham): https://www.kent-fastrack.co.uk/Fastrack
Dover: D Bus Route & Timetable: www.stagecoachbus.com/routes/south-east/D/dover-whitfield/XFBD000.Oach