Fastracking and Darting About in Kent
Six months on from my last trip, I revisit the Dartford & Gravesend area to catch up on developments in the “Fastrack” network and ride rare Dennis Darts with Arriva Kent Thameside.
The Fastrack Network in the Dartford / Gravesend area was revised from 5 April 2025. The new network map is shown above. Note the new “fastrack ELECTRIC” strapline, reflecting the entry into service of the first few Irizar Trambuses.
Fastrack Update
In a previous article back in December 2024, I reviewed the Fastrack services in Kent soon after they had passed from Arriva to Go Ahead. After a few months’ experience of operation, the existing format was found to be less than efficient and so a revised network was put into effect in early April.
The key changes from this date were:
A - Dartford and Bluewater. Minor rerouteing in Temple Hill.
B - Gravesend and Dartford. Extended from Dartford to Temple Hill to cover the C although with an “out and back” routeing replacing the previous circular operation. Also withdrawn from the long double run to Greenhithe and Ingress Park, now operating direct between Bluewater and Ebbsfleet International via the A2.
C - Dartford and Temple Hill. Withdrawn and replaced by extended B.
E - Gravesend and Castle Hill. No change for now, although the long term aim is to extend the A to cover this route when new roads are completed between Bluewater and Castle Hill.
F - New Route: Bluewater and Ingress Park via withdrawn section of the B. This is intended to be a temporary route until Galleys Hill Road is reopened (long term closure due to subsidence) when the B will be rerouted over the F between Bluewater and Ebbsfleet.
Since my last visit, a number of Mercedes Benz Citaros formerly on TfL work have been transferred to Fastrack duties and the first few Irizar ie “Trambuses” have entered service. Conversely, a number of the ex London SE type Enviro200s have now been withdrawn, whilst the hired in Volvos from Metrobus have been returned.
The Irizar IE class “Trambus” electrics have finally begun to enter service on Fastrack, initially on Route A. IE30 stands at Bluewater Shopping Centre before my ride on it to Dartford.
The red / grey livery is reflected on some of the new bus shelters being built at stops.
Fastrack A: Bluewater to Dartford
I began my rides at Bluewater Bus Station at the end of the morning peak, beginning as last time with a spin on Fastrack A. However, since then, the first few of the Irizar ie “Trambuses” have entered service on this route, chosen presumably because it passes close to the garage, where buses can be swapped for recharging when required. A check on bustimes.org showed that there were 3 x IE and 2 x SE out, so I let an SE go to await the next departure, formed of new IE30.
The bus was in the smart new red and dark grey livery with light grey lining. It sported new “fastrack ELECTRIC” logos and had legends towards the rear on both sides acknowledging the partnership between Go Ahead and Kent County Council plus the funding by UK Government. Inside, I noted the high backed seating with “fastrack ELECTRIC” logos repeated on the headrests, with a red and dark grey moquette edged in light grey faux leather. One row of seats in both the front and rear half of the bus was rearward facing, producing groups of 4 on each side, with very narrow tables between the forward and rearward facing seats in the rear section.
Straps were provided in the front half of the bus for standing passengers, whilst the small windows in the lower panels produced a light and airy if unusual appearance. Back to back screens suspended from the ceiling in the centre of the bus are meant to provide next stop, upcoming (next but one) stop then number of stops to the final destination, backed up by verbal announcements, but unfortunately these were not working on this bus.
We set off with only a few of us on board leaving Bluewater, but picked up more at Greenhithe Station and at the stops along Crossways Boulevard dual carriageway section, with its mixed residential and business properties. Then it was onto the “Bus Only” road across the M25 at the end of the Dartford Bridge and into the double run to Amazon on the other side, where a good number alighted. From here, we passed through “The Lakes” development along more segregated roads, before crossing the bridge at Joyce Green and entering the Temple Hill area. It was then along the estate roads, picking up more passengers for the short trip into Dartford Town Centre, terminating at Home Gardens near the station. A smooth 30 min run on this new electric vehicle.
The A now operates 24/7 on a 15 min frequency Daily including evenings with a 30 min service all night.
Rear interior view of the new IE class showing the high back seating with unusual design including “fastrack electric” logos.
Not visible here but there are narrow tables between the rear facing and forward facing groups of 4 seats one row back.
Arriva 414: Dartford to Horton Kirby and Back
In addition to riding the revised Fastrack routes, the second aim of my trip was to seek out the handful of remaining Dennis Darts with Arriva in the south east, which are all based at Northfleet (NF) Garage. There are five left and four were out to play on the day of my visit, with one on each of routes 414, 480, 482 and 483, their usual haunts, although they do sometimes appear on other services like the 489, 490 and 491.
Bustimes.org showed that Dart 1608 was on the 414, which has a one bus allocation operating on a rather unmemorable 65-70 min frequency M-S daytimes, although a second bus is required for the 414A Schooldays variation serving Wilmington Academy. On arrival at Home Gardens, I noted it was in the now almost extinct “cream scoop” livery and the only one of the batch to retain this variation.
Boarding the short Mini Pointer Dart at departure time, it was a quiet outbound run with only a couple of other passengers as we made our way out of Dartford through the suburb of Wilmington to the village of Sutton At Hone. Soon after this, we plunged off the main road down a single track country lane and made our way along very narrow roads to South Darenth, where a loop is performed, serving a retirement home which elicited a number of takers. Continuing through the village centre with its former mill now turned into business and housing units, we passed under the magnificent Victorian brick arched railway viaduct taking the London - Chatham - Kent Coast line over the valley, before arriving into the adjacent settlement of Horton Kirby. A second loop around this village, picking up more passengers, young and old, before back-tracking through South Darenth then on to Sutton At Hone and back into Dartford. Well used on the return run, if not on the outward trip. A delightful 55 min mainly country ride on a now rare vehicle.
Following withdrawal of the Stevenage examples a few months ago, just 5 Dennis Darts remain in service with Arriva Kent Thameside, all based at Northfleet Garage. 1608 is seen at Dartford Home Gardens on the 414 after my return trip on it to Horton Kirby.
This is the only one of the batch remaining with the cream scoop at the front.
Fastrack B: Dartford to Temple Hill, then Temple Hill to Gravesend
Back in Dartford Town Centre, I resumed my Fastrack rides, with a trip on the newly extended B. This now proceeds beyond Dartford to Temple Hill, replacing the C, although the routeing is different in that, instead of the previous long one way loop, the service now runs out and back, terminating at Sharp Way and merely going round the block on return. In practice, the fusing of the B and C is no real change, as the two routes used to interwork at Dartford Town Centre anyway, with most buses arriving on one route proceeding onto the other.
However, what has altered is the vehicle allocation. On my last visit, it was mostly SE worked with a few SENs, whereas now, the majority type appears to be MECs released from TfL work by the entry of electrics into service on the 108, although a handful of SE and SEN types continue in support. Next to arrive at Home Gardens was MEC46, which I jumped on for the short 10 min trip on the new extension to Temple Hill. A few other takers on the journey, as we made our way on the suburban ride to the new terminus at Sharp Way.
Ahead of us on the stand was fellow Citaro MEC32, so I was able to move up a working and catch it when it left a few minutes later. Back around the block and the reverse of the outward route through the estate roads to Dartford Town Centre again. Then straight on without the “hesitation time” that used to be the case when the C and B interworked at this point. Soon, we were onto the “Bus Only” road climbing out of the town centre, then joining the reserved section parallel to the main road towards Darent Valley Hospital. Having looped around to serve this point and exchanging a few users, we moved onto the next reserved “Bus Only” road downhill into Bluewater, calling at the Shopping Centre Bus Station.
From here, instead of the long loop through Ingress Park and back now covered by the F, we continued direct onto the A2 and a fast run to Ebbsfleet International, saving perhaps 15 mins on the previous timing. Contrary to the name, Eurostar services have not called at the station since 2020 although they may resume in 2026 according to the company. For now, only domestic High Speed “Javelin” services between London and The Kent Coast serve this location, making it somewhat of a white elephant in the opinion of many. Unsurprisingly, only a couple of passengers alighted and only one boarded here.
Onwards through the new development at Springhead Park, which provided better custom, before continuing on the final section into Gravesend, finishing at Garrick Street in the Town Centre near the station. A touch under 50 mins for the whole trip, much quicker now without the Ingress Park detour.
The B runs every 12 mins Daily during daytimes, 15 mins evenings, but now 30 mins late evenings and early Sunday mornings. Departures from each end start at 0430 and continue until 0030.
Some of the Mercedes Benz Citaros made spare from the electrification of TfL Route 108 have moved to Fastrack, where they appear mainly on Route B. MEC32 leads MEC46 at Temple Hill Sharp Way.
Fastrack B was extended to this point from Dartford Town Centre from 5th April, replacing the C.
Arriva 482: Gravesend to Kings Farm and Back
In Gravesend, I moved away from Fastrack for a while to find some more Arriva Darts. One of their usual haunts is the short local 482, which operates every 20 mins M-S daytimes, Hourly M-S evenings and 40 mins Sun daytimes. Bustimes.org showed the 2 buses on the route to be a short Streetlite and Mini Pointer Dart 1633, with the former just departing as I arrived, so I awaited the next arrival.
In contrast to the countrified 414 I rode earlier, the 482 is a busy little town service and when 1633 appeared, we took on a full load. Leaving the town centre, we wound our way up to Kings Farm, calling at Echo Square, before embarking on a large loop of the area, with its mix of older and more modern housing. A couple of minutes “hesitation” is built in at Mungo Park Road, before continuing on through the Christian Fields area back to Echo Square. Thence via the reverse of the outward route back into town. A couple of minutes over the half hour for the circuit, with good custom throughout.
Arriva Dennis Dart 1633 of Northfleet Garage in standard livery on Gravesend Local Route 482 in the Town Centre after my run on it.
On the day of my visit, there was one Dart out on each of routes 414, 480, 482 & 483, but they occasionally appear on other services.
Arriva 483: Gravesend to Bluewater
To leave Gravesend, I switched to the 483 to take me back to Bluewater. This runs every 30 mins daytimes daily, with an Hourly evening service on M-S only. Until service changes in 2024, the 482 and 483 were combined as a through service operating under the latter number, but the split into two routes in Gravesend Town Centre allowed a more frequent service to be provided on the busier Kings Farm section. On the day I travelled, the 3 buses on the 483 comprised 2 short Streetlites and 1 Dart, 1613, which was a transferee from Stevenage to Northfleet when Dart operation ended at the former garage.
However, unlike my previous journeys which had all run more or less to time, there appeared to be some delays affecting the 483. Several at the stop were complaining that the prior departure had failed to show, although as all 3 buses were in service, presumably it had turned short due to late running. Our Dart eventually arrived just after it should have departed and eventually left full and standing around 8 mins late.
A slow chug out of town, with passengers on and off at almost all stops, as we made our way along Pelham Road to Perry Street. Then through the back streets of Northfleet, serving the Painters Ash area, before calling at Pepper Hill Sainsburys via a double run. From here, we skirted Springhead Park before arriving back at Ebbsfleet International, although a more convoluted routeing than Fastrack B. By now, we had emptied out to an extent and had an easier run through Swanscombe and the back doubles of Greenhithe, along some narrow roads including a lane with passing places, finally seeing a bit of greenery after the urban landscape earlier in the trip. Finally, we emerged near Bluewater once more, terminating at the Bus Station around 45 mins from the start. Late for his return trip, our driver left immediately without stand time, but it had been good to sample Dennis Darts again in a variety of settings.
Enviro200 MMC SEN58 on Route F at Bluewater Bus Station before my ride on it. This was a new service introduced from 5th April, taking over the previous double run of Route B between this point and Ingress Park.
This bus was formerly AE25 with Sullivan Buses when on TfL work.
Fastrack F: Bluewater to Ingress Park and Back
Next, I took the opportunity to sample the latest addition to the Fastrack fold, the F. This is a very short service, taking over the Ingress Park section of the B and operating at the same frequencies with through ticketing between the two routes. As mentioned earlier, this is intended as a stop-gap measure, speeding up the B for through passengers by eliminating the Ingress Park double run. The originally intended route for the B between Bluewater and Ebbsfleet via Greenhithe & Ingress Park will be implemented when Galley Hill Road in Swanscombe is reopened - it was closed a couple of years ago following a collapse due to subsidence, which is taking an extremely long time to fix!
On the day I travelled, the 3 buses on the F were all Enviro200 MMCs formerly with Sullivan Buses on TfL work - I had SEN58 (ex AE25), still unchanged from its London days with TfL layout and moquette. A small number of passengers on the trip I was on, a straight run from Bluewater up to Greenhithe Station and then via a short “Bus Only” road into the new Ingress Park housing development. Shortly after this, we called at Ingress Abbey, an imposing Neo Gothic Jacobean style country house, which was rebuilt in the 19th Century, but had previously served as a nunnery and a royal retreat for King Henry VIII. During the two World Wars, it became an army hostel and naval base, but today is a private residence owned by an oil and gas tycoon!
Continuing beyond the Abbey, we called at the local Community Centre and then ended at Manor Way Roundabout on the edge of the development. By the time I had alighted and crossed the road to the pick up stop opposite, the bus had circled the roundabout and returned. A couple of minutes hesitation are built into the timetable, but we departed again immediately via the reverse of the outward route, a few users but only single digit passengers throughout the journey. A mere 23 mins for the entire round trip on this little but interesting route.
New Bus Stops with “fastrack electric” logos are gradually being introduced.
This example is at Manor Way Roundabout in Ingress Park, terminus of Route F. Eventually, when Galley Hill Road is reopened following its long term closure due to subsidence, it is intended that Route B will be reintroduced to this area and Temporary Route F withdrawn.
Part Fastrack B: Bluewater to Dartford
With an hour or so to spare before going-home-time, I had time to fit in one more circular trip from Bluewater. I saw on bustimes.org that the doyen of the Citaros, MEC1 was en route from Gravesend on the B, so hopped on when it arrived for a final journey over part of the route back into Dartford. As with the other MECs, still in London condition inside. Just under 20 mins for the well used run via Darent Valley Hospital.
The usefulness of the reserved sections of road for Fastrack were apparent as there was a great deal of congestion on the adjacent lanes which were clogged with traffic coming out of Dartford and presumably heading mainly for the M25 and the Tunnel.
Final Run of the Day…
Interior view of IE32 showing the layout of the front section with rear and forward facing seats, straps for standing passengers, wheelchair area and the next and upcoming stop screens.
Fastrack A: Dartford to Bluewater
In Dartford Town Centre for the last time, I decided to finish in the way I had started the day, with a ride on one of the new IEs back to Bluewater on the A. By now the start of the afternoon peak, some delays were apparent, but IE32 arrived a few minutes down and left almost immediately after shedding one load and taking on another. A protracted run, as we were busy to the extent of being full and standing, some passengers annoying the driver by standing under the centre door sensors and others leaning against the wheelchair alighting buzzer, which elicited some exasperated comments! By Amazon, we had almost emptied out, most having alighted in Temple Hill and The Lakes.
On reaching Crossways Boulevard, at the nearest stop to the garage, the driver announced a crew change, but no new driver was in sight. When he phoned the depot, it emerged that the bus was to be replaced due to low charge and a minute or so later, IE23 drew up behind us with the replacement driver and we all duly transferred for the last stretch to Greenhithe Station and on to Bluewater. All this mucking about meant that the trip took 40 mins, almost 10 mins more than scheduled. However, I had completed all that I had intended for the day, so ended my trip with a sense of satisfaction!
Watton
The future…
The pantograph charger at the Gravesend Garrick Street terminus of Fastrack B & E has been installed and is being prepared for service.
