Stagecoach announces planned changes to Folkestone bus operations

• Operations in Folkestone set to be transferred to Dover and Ashford
• Folkestone garage site at Cheriton expected to close in September
• Most employees and bus services expected to be retained as part of re-organisation
• Measures to minimise impact on bus services in the local area
• Depot viability impacted by rising costs and falling passenger numbers
• Company working with employees and trade union to protect maximum number of jobs

Stagecoach has today (6 June) announced planned changes to its bus operations in the Folkestone area.

The re-organisation will see the proposed closure of the Stagecoach site at Kent Road in Cheriton in early September, with operations transferred to the company’s other depots at Dover and Ashford.

Most employees and bus services are expected to be retained as part of the re-organisation which is designed to secure the long-term sustainability of bus services in the area. Stagecoach has confirmed that it will be talking with Kent County Council about the future of a small number of local bus routes that fail to recover their running costs.

The viability of the company’s Folkestone operations has declined over recent years, accelerated by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Stagecoach says that rising costs, a downward shift in passenger numbers and the impact of traffic congestion have combined to force changes to its bus operation in the area.

The company is in discussions with employees and the trade union about the options for staff, with the vast majority of the 160 people employed at its Folkestone base eligible for relocation to another depot.

Joel Mitchell, Managing Director of Stagecoach South East said: “We have been forced to consider some very difficult options, which we know will have a significant impact on a number of our colleagues in Folkestone and potentially affect some parts of the communities we serve in the area.

“Before and during the pandemic, we did everything we could to protect jobs and bus services, but the impact of such a challenging environment over a number of years means we have reached the point where we have no alternative but to make changes.

“It’s vital for us that we adapt and find alternatives to passing on costs to our passengers in the form of raising fares. By taking this action I am confident we can start to build a strong base for the future, from which we can expand when circumstances allow.”

“Our priority now is to support our colleagues who are affected, provide as many options as we can for them, and work hard to ensure that the impact on our services is minimal.

“We are also in discussions with Kent County Council about the future of a small number of local services in the area that don’t generate enough revenue to cover their operating costs.”

The company confirmed that the proposed closure would not affect the current bus station and its services would continue to operate from the site at Bouverie Square.