Fears that bus services would be cut have eased after a new operator has taken on the routes.
On Friday (Aug 22), Chalkwell announced it would no longer run the commercial 360 service, from Leysdown to Sheerness, and the 362 service from West Minster to Sheerness.
If it had not been replaced, it would have meant that from Monday (Sept 1), school buses would only run from Leysdown and there would be no buses at all from West Minster.
Chalkwell took on both routes after Arriva left Sheppey in 2021.
Managing director of the firm, Roland Eglinton, said: “We have made every effort to develop these services since Arriva withdrew.
“But events beyond our control, including the latest series of road closures, mean that we are unable to do so any longer.”
However, KentOnline can confirm that Sheppey bus operator Travel Masters will take on both services from next week.
Boss Tim Lampkin said: “We will be running the services on a like-for-like basis, meaning the timetable will not change.
“We have no commercial records for how these services do.
“With the road closures and the amount of construction work taking place here, it makes running services difficult.
“So we will run the same services for three months before having a look to see if we need to make changes.
“As the only island-based bus company, we have always been interested in running Island services. So we are very pleased to take on the contract from KCC.”
Leysdown parish councillor, Pat Sandle, says the news is a “relief” for people who were “worried” about the services being axed completely.
She added: “We had heard rumours, and that did worry people who rely on the services. It’s good that they have been taken over, as people still use the bus.
“In films, there are always double-decker buses going past, so I don’t know why on the Island we should not have them.”
Chalkwell is also making changes to the 334/335 service, which takes passengers between Sheerness and Sittingbourne.
For new Chalkwell timetables visit its website here.
The company said that following “several requests” from customers, most journeys will be diverted via Aldi at Queenborough
There are also additional journeys on the 347/349 services between Murston, Kemsley and Sittingbourne, the company said.
