Eight New Buses Launched For Two New Routes From Dover

Eight brand new easy-access buses have been launched for two new routes from Dover.

The Dover Diamond services 13 and 15, combined with improvements to other routes, will offer bus users up to a 30-minute link between Dover, Deal, Ramsgate and Canterbury, and improved services to the villages of Eythorne, Eastry, Aylesham, Elvington and Whitfield.

Transport Minister Dr Stephen Ladyman and Paul Southgate, Managing Director for Stagecoach East Kent and Hastings, officially launched the new fleet on Dover seafront on Friday.

Stagecoach has made a £850,000 investment to add the comfortable 12.5m long, 48 seat Enviro buses to the fleet of 45 buses and coaches operating from their Dover depot.

"You could say that the Dover Diamond is the new shape of bus travel," said Mr Southgate. "We expect to emulate the success of our Triangle and Loop routes that have significantly boosted bus usage in Kent with substantial passenger growth."

The Dover Diamond will be the first Stagecoach route in the south east to operate the new Enviro 300 buses that have engines designed to meet "Euro 3" emission standards.

A new timetable for the Dover Diamond routes is available from the website at www.stagecoachbus.com/eastkent or call 08702 433711.

Dr Ladyman said: "The Dover and Deal Diamond scheme provides people in East Kent with better links to crucial services, including more convenient connections with the hospital in Margate, and better access to employment and education centres in Canterbury. I hope these improvements will make buses an attractive travel option for more and more local people."