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  Dear Mr Pout,
  
  I am writing to you as the DDC Traffic Supremo and the interface between me (the consumer) and 'public transport' in the knowledge that if I write to KCC or Stagecoach or the Dept of Transport they will each claim it is nothing to do with them.
  
  I have always been less than supportive of the Dover Fastrack (especially with £16.1m from a funding programme designed to help stimulate new housing development!) but nevertheless thought I'd give it a go today - in spite of the fact that its thrice hourly service is operated by diesel buses, there being no sign of the promised 'green' electric buses, or indeed their charging infrastructure.
  
  Indeed, having seen that a 'paperwhite display' style board showing imminent arrivals and destinations in real time put up at the Tesco bus-stop, much like the rest of the country now enjoys, and Europe has had for decades, I thought local public transport was finally taking on a touch of modernity. More fool me!
  
  Arriving on the Stagecoach 12 service from Deal at the bus-stop outside Tesco I alighted and looked at the indicator board.
  
  There was no sign of the Fastrack bus nor any information or direction signage.
  
  Nobody at the stop knew anything about it. Eventually a bus driver told me that if I crossed the petrol station forecourt and the road exit from Tesco and then the entrance to the car-park and crossed the new road I'd be able to see the stop 'up the road'.
  
  Having found the stop I then tried using the Stagecoach App on my 'phone to find the next bus. Unfortunately the App 'does not recognise' the location.
  
  I took the next bus to Dover Priory which was OK if you like empty diesel buses but somewhat marred as he 'wasn't going to Pencester' as they were digging up the road.
  
  Talking to various Stagecoach personnel during the day apparently.
  
  1. The new buses can't go to the Tesco Stop as the corner is too tight for them! Really?
  (Leaving anyone at Whitfield having to cross busy roads to change services with no idea when at a bus-stop, if the 'other' service is leaving first).
  
  2. Apparently the 'real time' information board at Tesco has been paid for by the store and there are no plans to introduce such things at Canterbury Bus Station, Deal South Street or Pencester Road or other 'busy' places as 'the council' don't give Stagecoach enough money! AND it doesn't cover Fastrack since Fastrack doesn't stop there!
  
  I would be grateful to know why we have not got a half-useful transport interchange between Tesco-Whitfield buses and the Fastrack? (Someone is going to get killed crossing roads between the two. Why can't the new buses go round corners?)
  
  Also why are live-time indicator boards not being introduced as in the rest of the country? Not all of us have smart phone and those that do often have no signal (see Canterbury Bus Station).
  
  Best wishes
  
  CaptainHaddock

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