Arriva SC runs river ferry replacement

Arriva Southern Counties buses temporarily replaced the Gravesend to Tilbury passenger ferry service across the River Thames for several days in December. This was necessary as the ferry terminal at Tilbury could not be accessed due to visiting cruise liners obstructing the pontoon. The ferry provides a link from Kent to Essex on a half hourly frequency and with a journey time of around five minutes. Arriva provided the hourly bus service on behalf of Thurrock Council, with a scheduled journey time of 40 minutes using the Dartford River Crossing. The replacement bus service was operated from Arriva’s Northfleet Depot, using two buses with hourly departures running non-stop from each end of the route between 06.00 and 17.00. No fares were charged to compensate for the longer journey time.

Arriva’s Regional Publicity Manager, Richard Lewis, said, ‘It is quite unusual for the Gravesend to Tilbury ferry to be unable to operate and we are pleased to have been able to help by maintaining the facility by road. The ferry acts as an important link in the local transport network, saving people a lengthy journey by train via London or by road over the Dartford Crossing.’