Unlimited Digital Access / Get £25 off your Annual Digital Subscription! Use code 25OFF
GET STARTEDMore on KentOnline
Unlimited Digital Access / Get £25 off your Annual Digital Subscription! Use code 25OFF
GET STARTEDMore on KentOnline
Bus company Arriva has abandoned using printed timetables during the coronavirus pandemic.
Passengers on the Isle of Sheppey and in Sittingbourne must now either call a number or use a mobile phone to find out when the next bus is due.
The move has infuriated many customers who say they prefer to read details on bus stops or refer to a printed version.
Jenny Taylour of High Street, Queenborough, said: "With no phone or email we got fed up waiting for a bus and took the car instead. Their director must be so proud in losing customers and forcing people to use cars adding to pollution and congestion.
"We wrote to Arriva weeks ago but we have more chance of seeing Lord Lucan riding Shergar on Sheerness seafront than receiving a timetable."
She added: "Can someone pull out all the stops and ask why have they covered up the bus timetables?"
Ray Stone of Manor Close, Rushenden, said removing timetables from shops and bus stops would not work because "a lot of elderly folk don’t have a smart mobile phone and those who do won’t know how to work them."
An Arriva spokesman said the company had to change services "on several occasions" during the coronavirus pandemic and it had been impossible to update timetables for each of its bus stops for every change.
She said: "To reduce the risk of out-of-date information being displayed we replaced printed timetables with information on how to view them online and via our App."
She added: "We appreciate those who do not use mobile devices regularly can find this inconvenient. We recognise the importance of printed bus stop timetables and plan to have these back as soon as the Covid-19 situation allows."
Those unable to use "digital channels" can call 0344 800 44 11 to get a timetable sent to them.
This applies to all areas where Arriva manages bus stop information. In some areas this is looked after by local authorities. Medway council has adopted a similar policy.
Download up-to-date Arriva timetables here.
Keep up-to-date with developments on Kent transport stories here.
