I was disappointed to discover last week that Kent Country Council are proposing a substantial increase to their existing ‘Bus Tax’ which could put vital buses, readily used by Bexleyheath & Crayford residents, at risk.
The dispute between the Reform led Kent County Council and Transport for London (TfL) became apparent following comments made by the KCC Fastrack Development Manager that were captured in the minutes of a Dartford Council transport meeting. These minutes confirmed there were ‘discussions with TfL on their plans to terminate buses at Dartford and not continue to Darent Valley Hospital and Bluewater.’
Following direct enquiries to TfL it has become clear that a key reason these bus services are under threat is due to a dispute between Kent County Council and the transport operator about a significant hike to the existing ‘Bus Tax’ that TfL would have to pay.
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The payment allows access to the council owned Fastrack busway, a bus only road that forms part of the Kent County Council owned Fastrack service. TfL’s 96 bus has been permitted to use Fastrack’s busway since December 2017, enabling the 96 bus to serve Darent Valley Hospital, whilst at the same time not increasing journey times to Bluewater.
TfL is a not-for-profit organisation, funded by a combination of Government grants and passenger fares, and any income generated is reinvested into maintaining the transport network. TfL have made clear that they receive no funding from Kent County Council or Dartford Borough Council for the bus services they run that benefit residents in and around the area. Yet despite this, Kent County Council not only continues to charge TfL for the use of the Fastrack busway, but is seeking a significant increase that questions the financial viability of the bus services.
I have signed a joint letter alongside fellow neighbouring MPs Jim Dickson in Dartford and Abena Oppong-Asare in Erith and Thamesmead, calling on the leader of Kent County Council to urgently reconsider this ill thought through ‘Bus Tax’ increase. This will have a significant impact on many residents in Bexleyheath, Crayford, Erith & Dartford. Routes 96, 428 and 492 are key services for both patients and staff at Darent Valley Hospital, as well as customers and staff at Bluewater Shopping Centre. Regardless of whether passengers live on the Kent or London side of the boundary this will impact many residents who use this route.
I have also written to the three newly elected Crayford councillors asking them for their support in pressing their Reform colleagues in Kent County Council to drop their 'Bus Tax' proposals.
We may not be united by party politics, but we are united by the residents we serve and I know they will be focused, as I am on the best interests of the residents in their Crayford ward. I hope we can work together to stop Kent County Council from implementing their proposal and instead preserve these vital bus services for our residents in Bexleyheath & Crayford. I’ll also continue to press TfL to ensure that bus services from Bexleyheath and Crayford serve Darent Valley hospital and Bluewater shopping centre.
Sign my petition to make your voice heard loud and clear that we need to protect our vital bus routes at www.danielfrancis.uk/bus-tax.
- Daniel Francis is the Labour MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford
