Public transport

The majority of bus services in Medway are provided by Arriva Medway Towns, although companies such as ASD Transport, Chalkwell, Kent Top Travel, Nu-Venture and others also provide services in this area.

The operators provide many of the daytime routes without a subsidy and therefore the operator decides the route, timetable and fares. Medway Council does, however, support a number of bus services financially that would not be provided otherwise and is keen to encourage greater use of the bus network overall.

There is an increasing number of super low-floor buses in service, giving easy access for users. However, where people have difficulty in using the main bus network, the Medway Mobility Service offers a link to the main shopping centres.

Changes to bus stops in Chatham

Please note that buses no longer stop at the Military Road bus stop. All services (with the exception of Arriva services 142 and 185) now stop in Waterfront Way. Please download the Waterfront Way changes document (pdf 36KB) for information on where your service stops.

To use this document and the other pdf files on this page you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have this on your computer, please use our advice page.

Bus timetables

Download the latest bus timetables.

For more information on services, please contact the individual operators or Traveline on 0871 200 2233. Calls from BT landlines cost 10pence per minute plus a 6pence set-up fee per call. Mobile, business and other providers' charges may vary. Information on journey planning is also available at www.travelinesoutheast.org.uk or www.transportdirect.info.

Bus routes in Medway

Download the map of bus routes in Medway (pdf 7,487KB). Please note that this is a large file and may take some time to download for those with slower internet connections.

Medway bus pass

The bus pass allows Medway residents aged 60 years* or more and people with disabilities to travel by bus for free, except at morning peak times. This is now a national scheme, so pass-holders can travel for free across all of England from 9.30am (9am in Medway and Kent) to 11pm, Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and on bank holidays.

*Please note

The age eligibility for bus passes is changing. Find out who qualifies for a bus pass.

Bus lay-bys

Some lay-bys have been removed to speed up bus travel, making it a more attractive alternative to the car. Research shows that buses save, on average, 11 seconds per stop by not having to wait so long before pulling back out into the flow of traffic. Stopping alongside a straight kerb also helps to achieve level access to buses, meaning that they can be used conveniently by people in wheelchairs, parents with buggies and other people who used to have difficulty climbing the steps.

Raised kerbs

To make the vast majority of Medway's bus stops accessible to all users, raised bus boarder kerbs are being installed at 80 per cent of stops on distributor roads and 30 per cent of stops on residential roads. This will help bus users with mobility difficulties and parents with pushchairs and buggies.

Waiting restrictions

To aid the flow of traffic, there are "no parking" and "no waiting" restrictions at all bus stops. Parking in bus stops impedes the passage of buses and can make it hazardous for users getting on and off the bus, especially for those with mobility difficulties, pushchairs and buggies.

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