In 2021, KCC was awarded a sum of £9.5 million in Government funding towards the cost of electrifying the Fastrack network. This sum is towards both the provision of new buses and the on-street infrastructure which will support its operation. A competitive tender process began in 2022 and was designed to select a new operator for the Kent Thameside services. This selection process ran until the summer of 2023.
Following this selection process, KCC is happy to announce that a contract award has been given to the GoAhead group to operate the buses on the Thameside network. The 15-year contract will mean that the service can provide a reliable connection for people in north Kent, connecting communities and helping to keep Kent moving while promoting public transport as a more sustainable form of travel.
From November 2024 to April 2025 a fleet of 28 clean energy fully electric buses will replace the existing diesel-powered vehicles on the route that covers Dartford and Gravesham.
On-street electric vehicle charging points for the buses are to be provided by VEV, while Irizar manufacture the chosen ie-Tram buses which will be operated by Go Ahead London on a day-to-day basis.
For more information on GoAhead, please feel free to visit their website.
For more information on our electrification programme, feel free to take a look at the page on our website.
