The cancellation of a bus service in the borough has been called “short sighted” by passengers.

The Arriva 333, which runs between Faversham and Sittingbourne, was axed as of Monday, due to a “lack of customer demand”.

Arriva’s head of operations for the south, Chris Berry, said: “Our routes reflect customer needs and the 333 service is particularly underused.

“The discontinuation of the 333 service will improve efficiency on the remaining bus routes, which will continue to provide a reliable service for customers.”

The hourly service stops at numerous villages en route, including Teynham, Norton, Bapchild and Ospringe.

The announcement has been met with disappointment by some, who think the bus company has made a rash decision.

“Arriva should make this a temporary discontinuation,” passenger Lynne Reynolds said.

'This service was well used before the pandemic and it is a very short-sighted move.'

“The only reason the service is not being used at the moment is due to the Covid restrictions and the government’s request that public transport is only used as an absolute necessity.

“This service was well used before the pandemic and it is a very short-sighted move.

“There are many people who used this service, myself included, who cannot drive and are longing to use the service again as soon as we are able to.”

Pensioner Elizabeth Percy added: “I used to use this service but the virus has kept me off all public transport since March.

“As a pensioner of 70 I’m being careful but would love to be out and about again and will need this bus then.”

Megan Fowle messaged the bus company on Twitter to air her anger.

She said: “People like myself who rely on this bus to get to and from work, which is at a care home, now can’t get in.

“Also, when all the kids go back to school will you put it back up then? I know myself a lot of them rely on this bus as I could never get a seat.”

Vice chairman of Swale council’s joint transportation board, Julian Saunders, said: “I am surprised and disappointed at Arriva’s announcement.

“I am not aware of any consultation with local schools, businesses and the wider community.

'To cut a bus service because it is being underused during a pandemic lockdown seems illogical...'

“It will have a dramatic impact on communities along the A2 like Bapchild, Teynham, Norton and Ospringe, which will all see their bus services reduced or lost and cause school students, parents and others reliant on local buses particular inconvenience.

“To cut a bus service because it is being underused during a pandemic lockdown seems illogical. I would urge Arriva to think again about their decision.”

Passengers will still be able to travel between the towns using the Stagecoach service 3 bus route.

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