Arriva invests half a million pounds in new buses for Tunbridge Wells

An image of one of the new vehicles at the launchin Tunbridge Wells

Arriva has invested over half a million pounds in six brand-new,state-of-the-art, buses for use in Tunbridge Wells.

The new buses carry a distinctive livery and the latest‘Euro 4’ engines will minimise exhaust emissions tohelp cut pollution levels in Tunbridge Wells. A digital CCTV systeminside and out will give an added feeling of security for driversand passengers.

Low, pavement-level entrances and no steps in the front halfinside make the buses easy to use for everyone, and they also haveclear, high-visibility, electronic destination and service numberdisplays.

The fully-accessible buses will run on Service 281 which isbranded as the ‘town centre bus link’ and connects themain shopping areas, railway station, historic area andSainsbury’s superstore and the Spa Valley Railway.

In addition, from 15 October, the frequency of the popularservice will be increased to run every 12 minutes for much of theday, this improvement also benefiting those using the outer ends ofthe service to and from Rusthall and High Brooms.

An advance launch of the buses took place on Friday 5October by Greg Clark MP and representatives of Arriva, TunbridgeWells Borough Council and local traders.

Arriva’s commercial director, Kevin Hawkins, said“We are delighted to make this significant investment inTunbridge Wells and make the ‘town centre bus link’service accessible to more people.

“By providing comfortable new buses and an increasedfrequency we hope that people will consider leaving the car at homeand use the bus for some of their local journeys, in turn helpingto reduce pollution and congestion on the town’sroads.”

At the launch Greg Clark MP, said: “I am thrilled by theinvestment of both time and money that Arriva have put into the busfleet in Tunbridge Wells. These modern, eco-friendly vehicles arethe first new buses in Tunbridge Wells for 10 years and are greatlywelcome.

"I am particularly grateful for the way Arriva have responded tomy call to promote bus services in the town centre to reducecongestion, first with new branding and now new buses withincreased frequency. I hope everyone takes the opportunity to usethese new buses and that the service goes from strength tostrength.”