Arriva wins contract for Fastrack B service for the 13th year

Arriva has successfully retained the Fastrack B contract for the Kent Thameside area.

This will be the 13^th year that the bus operator has worked to deliver the award winning route on behalf of Kent County Council.

The award winning service will continue to provide excellent benefits such as dedicated Fastrack only bus lanes, priority traffic signals above other road users, Wi-Fi, at seat USB charge points, and On-board next and stop announcements.

Arriva will also be providing newer ultra-low emissions vehicles with a larger capacity to carry more passengers to better respond to increased customer numbers.

Oliver Monahan, area managing director for Arriva Kent and Surrey, said: “At Arriva, we are proud to serve our local communities and constantly aim to improve our services by keeping our services relevant and responsive to our customers ever changing needs. We’re delighted and honoured to be able to continue operating the award winning Fastrack B route.

We hope the changes we will be making as the new contract goes live will make passenger journeys as they make their way in day to day life more pleasant and reliable, and that the developments in on-board technology will benefit our passengers across Gravesend and Dartford too.”

Kent County Council will continue its partnership with Arriva and have introduced Shane Hymers to the team in the newly created position of Fastrack Development Manager.   Shane will be working alongside Arriva to ensure that the service continues to run well for all of its passengers.

Shane Hymers said “We are all increasingly thinking about the health, financial and environmental benefits that sustainable journey choices can make.

As the Kent Thameside area continues to develop, we must keep pace with this and encourage more walking, cycling and use of public transport.

That’s why it is important that Fastrack provides a reliable, comprehensive and affordable network that is a realistic alternative to the car for local journeys.

Having operated the service from day one, Arriva has an extensive understanding of Fastrack’s strategic importance locally and KCC is delighted to continue this working relationship until at least 2022.

Together, we will listen to our stakeholders and work extensively to ensure the continued betterment of Fastrack”.

Kent County Council’s cabinet member for environment and transport Mike Whiting said: “We are committed to working closely with our Fastrack partners to ensure the service continues to develop and supports the local economy.

I am delighted that with this new contract, our passengers will benefit from newer, more spacious buses on Fastrack B, that are equipped with all the modern on-board features we have come to expect and enjoy.

These buses will also have a fresh new look, combining the best design elements of the previous two generations of Fastrack buses.”

There will be a few minor changes to the service from Sunday 4^th of August. To find out more on these changes visit https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/fastrack-b-times

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