New 409B bus reported a success

As per my previous post, Go-Goach - with support from KCC - launched an extra 409 bus service recently. This additional service - the 409B - stops near The Bridges pub before coming south down the Dartford Road. This route is much more useful to students from Hoton Kirby and South Darenth going to the Knole Academy than the usual 409 route, which goes via Wilmington. I hear that the new service is well-supported and hopefully is making life easier for families in these villages. The press has also picked up the story; here, for example is an article in the Sevenoaks Chronicle.

New 409B starts on Monday

School students traveling from Horton Kirby and South Darenth to the Knole Academy should benefit from an additional bus service that starts on Monday. The ceasing of the 407 bus, which stopped in Horton Kirby, has meant that the young people have faced either a roudabout journey on the 409 - going north to Wilmington before heading down to Farningham and then going south - or having their parents take them to Farningham to meet the bus there.

Parents told me of their worries about this some weeks ago, and I contacted the operator, Go-Coach, as well as Kent County Council. KCC was willing to subsidise an additional service, the 409B, which starts on Monday and which will take a different route. It will come in along Station Road, stop near The Bridges pub and then go back before going south down the Dartford Road. This should give those going to the Knole from the two villages a significantly easier journey.

Many thanks to both Go-Coach and KCC Transport Integration for stepping up to the plate. It's now a case of 'use it or lose it' - hopefully the route will get good support.