Positive results for new routes

Chalkwell’s trial of a new route 11 serving people on both the north and south sides of Sittingbourne has gained ‘positive results’. The service runs three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays starting just after 09.30. It is currently undergoing a six month trial, with positive feedback from both sides of the route which is seeing moderate growth. It is carrying an average of 18 passengers a day.

The new service is the outcome of planning between the operator and Kent County Councillor, Roger Truelove. It is being underwritten for the six month period by a £6,000 grant from Roger’s county highways fund. He said the route would not usually be commercially viable nor likely to attract local authority transport funding, but residents from both Milton and Peregrinne Drive had been asking for a shuttle bus to town to help with shopping. Cllr Truelove said, ‘We do need to show that there is a real need for this service. I hope more and more residents will use it and that route 11 will considerably improve the mobility of sections of the community.’