Kent’s new busway, Fastrack, has attracted weekly patronage figures that reach levels not expected until after a year of service in less than two months.
The busway, launched on 26 March to serve areas earmarked by the Government for housing growth in the Thames Gateway region, has carried more than 29,000 passengers a week since mid-May, 4,000 higher than the figures predicted for March 2007. Fastrack has also achieved a miles-operated average of 99.5%, which is above the bus industry benchmark figure of 99%.
However, there have been some initial teething problems with the bus priority at traffic signals, causing some buses to be kept waiting when the service launched, according to a report on the busway’s performance.
There have also been problems with the air-conditioning units on a number of the vehicles.
But, overall service performance has been good, and Arriva is actively managing its staff to ensure standards remain high.
A report prepared for Kent County Council’s highways advisory board concludes: ‘The first few weeks have been very positive. The numbers of customers are very encouraging.’
Plans have also been approved for Kent Thameside Fastrack schemes at Thames Way, and the Gravesend and Everards link phase two.
The funding is available from April 2006 to March 2008, with both schemes having funding in place through monies from the community infrastructure fund of £13.4M and £2M from Interreg.