The Kings Ferry commuter services withdrawn

[Flange Squeal]

It has been announced that National Express-owned The Kings Ferry are withdrawing their commuter coach services beyond Christmas Eve.

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A message from Ian Fraser, Managing Director – South East Region​

It is with much regret that I have to inform you The Kings Ferry commuter service will cease operating on Friday 24 December.

This has been an incredibly difficult decision to make and has not been taken lightly. The ongoing challenges created by COVID 19 have reduced demand to such an extent that means our services are not commercially viable and unlikely to become so in the near future.

There are no current plans to reinstate the service however we will continue to monitor travel patterns and if circumstances change in the future we will look at ways to reintroduce our commuter services.

I would like to thank all our customers past and present for their support over the last almost 40 years, it has been a pleasure transporting you to and from London on a daily basis.

Yours,

Ian Fraser

Managing Director – South East Region

Please Note​

Our current timetable will operate as normal between now and Thursday 23rd December 2021. We will operate a Christmas timetable on Friday 24th December 2021 which includes two earlier PM service options.

For details of our Christmas timetable, please click here

To apply for a ticket refund, please click here

For more information, please see our FAQ’s below.

 

[MotCO]

That's not much notice!

I remember seeing swarms of their immaculate lime green coaches going to/from London. Patronage must have fallen off a cliff.

 

[alex397]

While their decision is perhaps understandable, given that commuter coaches into London have long been in decline and the huge pressures with more people working from home, it will be difficult for many of regular commuters who will now have to pay a lot more for a railway season ticket, which they may not be able to afford.

Some may not be aware that there is a ‘park and ride’ facility at Bluebell Hill Village, just off the M2 by the Medway Towns - this will now have no services calling, as far as I’m aware.

There will still be some Kent commuter services in operation, by Redwing Coaches and Centaur Coaches

 

[Flange Squeal]

There will still be some Kent commuter services in operation, by Redwing Coaches and Centaur Coaches

It’s only one journey per weekday, but there is also the Brookline 734 from the West Malling area.

TIMETABLE - Brookline Coaches

www.brooklinecoaches.co.uk

 

[telstarbox]

I could see the rationale for the Canary Wharf service but maybe Crossrail will kill that off. For the City or West End it's very slow.

 

[paul1609]

I could see the rationale for the Canary Wharf service but maybe Crossrail will kill that off. For the City or West End it's very slow.

I live too far south to have ever used Kings ferry's services but from here (North end of Romney Marsh) I do know of several ex rail commuters who are now commuting in to Central London by car. Road journey times are apparently 40 min quicker than pre covid and car parking spaces at the office available with many people working from home.