Sittingbourne bus and coach operator Chalkwell are to step in and replace the 360/361 bus services, currently operated by Arriva.
Arriva were due to end these services on 13th June, however this has been moved back to the 11th July. Chalkwell will commence the new services from Monday 12th July, the day after Arriva stop running..
The new Chalkwell services will replace buses currently serving Leysdown, Eastchurch, Minster, Queenborough, Rushenden and Sheerness.
With Arriva withdrawing. residents were faced with the prospect of being cut off from essential services, including education, shopping and access to medical facilities. However, it is a local independent business that is stepping in to ensure continuity.
Chalkwell Managing Director, Roland Eglinton stated “Our business was formed in Sheerness by my late grandfather in 1931, making 2021 our 90th year. We have a long association with serving the people of Sheppey, and we currently operate buses across Swale and Medway to a high standard, including daily buses from Sheerness and Minster to Sittingbourne schools. These new services are a natural evolution for our business, and we very much look forwards to working with the people of Sheppey”.
Full timetables will be provided in due course, although the new services will replicate the existing Arriva ones where possible.
To receive updates on the Chalkwell 360.361 services and be sent a timetable closer to the time, register your details at https://www.chalkwell.co.uk/sheppeybuses
Current Chalkwell services can be found at www.chalkwell.co.uk