With the easing of lockdown restrictions, the Arriva bus company is planning to increase the number of bus services available through Kent and Medway.

The level of service was reduced during lockdown because passenger demand fell, but now with non-essential retail, outdoor hospitality, indoor leisure and outdoor settings all beginning to reopen, the firm believes the demand for pubic transport will return.

A new time-table, with increased services, will come into effect from Sunday, April 18.

In line with Government guidance, Arriva is still operating social distancing measures on all buses.

Seats within two metres of the driver are taped off. A no-standing policy is still in place on all non-school journeys and customers are

still required to wear a face-covering throughout their journey.

When on-board capacities are met, buses will show a “bus full” sign and drivers will only stop if there are passengers who want to get off.

The company's managing director Simon Finnie said: “We are committed to running vital services to allow communities to access all of the reopening services and businesses."

He said: "Rest assured that during these times of change, we are continually monitoring service levels in line with demand and will, wherever we can, adapt our services to meet this.

"We encourage all who are travelling to check our website for up-to-date advice and bus times before they travel."

The new timetables can be viewed and downloaded online or via the Arriva UK Bus App which is free to download from the app store.

Read more: All the latest news from Kent

Read more: All the latest news from Medway

Keep up-to-date with developments on transport and stories that will impact how you travel