The axed daytime bus service in Lympne is to return on a trial basis from mid-November, it has been announced this week.
Responding to the restoration of the Stagecoach service, Folkestone & Hythe’s council leader appealed to those living in the village to use the service.
Cllr Jim Martin said: “We are very pleased to have this service restored. Councillors received many complaints about changes and reductions in service and we have taken these to Stagecoach.
“Along with the residents of Lympne we are very grateful that the company has been able to bring back the daytime buses and we fully recognise that this service must be used to protect its future. It is quite simply – use it or lose it.”
Stagecoach announced earlier this week that the service will resume on a trial basis linking the village with Hythe and Folkestone, and the William Harvey Hospital and Ashford.
Although school-time buses have continued to run, the village has been without a regular daytime service since the beginning of September when the company made changes to curb what it described as ongoing and significant financial losses.
When the service changes were announced the bus company’s managing director, Joel Mitchell met with Cllr Martin.
Mr Mitchell said: “We’ve been impressed by the level of support for a bus service expressed by the local community, and also the leadership Folkestone & Hythe District Council has shown in recognising the importance of buses for sustainable transport in the district.
“As a result, I feel confident enough to place a commercial service back through Lympne, initially on a trial basis.”
Cllr Polly Blakemore, F&HDC Cabinet member for Transport said: “This is great news for Lympne and shows just how much people depend on public transport.
“However, residents across the district are still putting up with overcrowded and cancelled buses every day. We will continue to work with Stagecoach to provide the service that the district needs.”
Route 10 will operate an hourly Monday to Saturday service via Lympne from Monday 13 November.