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Fastrack (bus)
Bus rapid transit scheme in Kent, England From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Fastrack is the name given to two bus rapid transit schemes in Kent. The original network began on 26 March 2006 in Dartford and Gravesend, part of the Thames Gateway regeneration area, and on 17 November 2024 a separate network was launched in Dover.
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History
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Kent Thameside
Construction work on the Fastrack network in Kent Thameside began on 23 September 2004.[1] The network commenced operations on 26 March 2006 with the introduction of Fastrack B between Temple Hill and Gravesend.[2][3]
On 3 June 2007, Fastrack A commenced operations in order to serve the new development at The Bridge in Dartford.[4] The route is part-funded by Prologis, the developers of The Bridge.
From 19 November 2007 following the opening of Ebbsfleet International railway station, Fastrack B was diverted to serve the station in order to connect with Eurostar and Southeastern High Speed services.[5]
Following the completion of the Everards Link Phase 2 on 10 December 2012, Fastrack B was rerouted via a new section of busway linking Ingress Park with Greenhithe railway station.[6] Fastrack B began serving the whole of the Ingress Park development from 2 September 2018.[7]
From 2 August 2020 following the opening of the Springhead Bridge, Fastrack B was rerouted between Ebbsfleet International railway station and Gravesend to serve the new Springhead Park development.[8][9]
On 23 August 2021, Fastrack AZ commenced operations in order to serve the Amazon LCY3 distribution centre in Dartford.[10] The route was initially operated by Go-Coach but transferred to Arriva Southern Counties on 3 April 2022 with Fastrack A being modified to serve the LCY3 distribution centre at the same time.[11]
In June 2023, it was announced that Go-Ahead London had been awarded a 15 year contract to operate the Kent Thameside network, starting in November 2024.[12] On 10 November 2024, the Kent Thameside network was taken over by Go-Ahead London.[13][14] On the same day, Fastrack E commenced operations, initially running from Gravesend to Castle Hill in order to serve the Castle Hill and Cable Wharf developments.[15]
From 16 August 2025, following the opening of the Whitecliffe busway, Fastrack E was extended to serve Bluewater.[16]
Dover
Construction work on the Fastrack system in Dover began in February 2023 and infrastructure works were completed in Summer 2024.[17]
The system was launched on 17 November 2024. Route D runs between Dover and Whitfield and is now operated by Stagecoach South East.[18]
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Current routes
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Kent Thameside
The current Fastrack network in Kent Thameside is formed of six routes, all operated by Go-Ahead London.[19]
Fastrack A operates between Dartford station and Bluewater Shopping Centre via Temple Hill, The Bridge, Amazon LCY3, Stone Crossing station and Greenhithe station. It operates every 15 minutes daily.[20]
Fastrack AZ operates between Dartford station and Gravesend station via Temple Hill, The Bridge, Amazon LCY3, Stone Crossing station, Greenhithe station and Ebbsfleet International station. It operates during shift changeover times at the LCY3 distribution centre only.[21]
Fastrack B operates between Temple Hill and Gravesend station via Dartford station, Princes Park, Darent Valley Hospital, Bluewater Shopping Centre, Ebbsfleet International station and Springhead Park. It operates every 12 minutes daily.[22]
Fastrack E operates between Bluewater Shopping Centre and Gravesend station via Castle Hill, Ebbsfleet International station and Cable Wharf. It operates every 30 minutes daily.[23]
Fastrack F operates between Bluewater Shopping Centre and Ingress Park via Greenhithe station. It operates every 12 minutes daily.[24]
Fastrack N operates between Amazon LCY3 and Gravesend station via The Bridge, Temple Hill, Dartford station, Princes Park, Darent Valley Hospital, Bluewater Shopping Centre, Ebbsfleet International station and Springhead Park. It operates hourly overnight only.[25]
Dover
The current Fastrack network in Dover is formed of one route, operated by Stagecoach South East.[26]
Fastrack D operates between Dover Priory station and Whitfield via Dover town centre and Dover Castle. It operates every 20 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays, and hourly on Sundays.
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Vehicles
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From 21 March to 9 May 2018, Fastrack took part in a trial scheme which saw an additional hourly journey made by an electric Volvo 7900e, with a main charging point installed in the form of a generator at the front of Greenhithe station allowing the bus to fully charge inside six minutes.[27]
On 4 August 2019, Arriva Kent Thameside retained the contract to operate the Fastrack B service. As part of this, the 14 Wright StreetLites on the route were replaced with newer Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC vehicles transferred from the Medway area which were refurbished to Fastrack specification. 7 of the Wright StreetLites continued to operate on Fastrack A.[28]
Between 23 August 2021 and 3 April 2022, whilst the Fastrack AZ service was operated by Go-Coach, eight Alexander Dennis Enviro400 vehicles worked on the service.[10] When this route was transferred to Arriva Kent Thameside, the Alexander Dennis Enviro400 vehicles were withdrawn and three additional Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC worked on the AZ service.
On 10 November 2024, Go-Ahead London took over the Fastrack network in Kent Thameside, which uses diesel and electric buses, specifically Alexander Dennis Enviro200, Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC, Mercedes-Benz Citaro, and Irizar ie tram vehicles (since 30 April 2025).
See also
- List of guided busways and BRT systems in the United Kingdom
- Crawley Fastway, a similar-sized guided system
References
External links
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