Community bus proposal · West Kent
A bus that belongs to the villages.
Phoenix is a plan for a not-for-profit community bus from Paddock Wood through Nettlestead Green, Wateringbury, Teston and Barming to Maidstone Hospital and Maidstone, with minibus feeders bringing Yalding, Laddingford, East Peckham and a dozen more villages to it — early mornings, evenings and Sundays included.
- One routeOne number, one timetable
- 7 daysSundays and bank holidays too
- 06:40–22:57Four round trips, plus a proposed 22:10 late bus from Maidstone
- Bus passesConcessionary passes accepted
The problem
Buses in these villages are spread across several operators and route numbers, with school-day variations, request stops and conditional diversions. When the proposal was written in August 2026, we found:
- no Sunday or bank holiday service to most of the villages;
- the last buses back from Maidstone leaving around 5pm on many routes, so an afternoon appointment can mean no way home;
- East Peckham without a bus from Saturday afternoon until Monday morning;
- the frequent Maidstone–Tonbridge buses passing along the A26 at Wateringbury all day without turning into the villages.
When we asked in local community groups, people told us about missed hospital appointments, children with no way home from school, and older residents who no longer risk a trip into Maidstone in case they can't get back.
The idea
Owned by the community
A Community Interest Company: not-for-profit, with any surplus kept for the service.
Driven by neighbours
Volunteer drivers from the villages at the wheel of the feeder minibuses. The main bus, if it is a full-size bus, needs professional drivers with a full bus licence.
Filling the gaps
Early mornings, evenings, Saturdays and Sundays — the times existing buses don't run. It is meant to complement them, not compete.
Room for everyone
A wheelchair lift and space for walking aids, pushchairs and shopping.
Where it would go
- Paddock Wood (Station)
- Nettlestead Green (Hop Pole)
- Wateringbury (The Wateringbury)
- Teston
- Barming
- Maidstone Hospital
- Maidstone West Station
- Maidstone King Street
- Maidstone East Station
Minibus village feeders would meet it at Paddock Wood and the Hop Pole from Yalding, Laddingford, East Peckham, Hadlow, Mereworth, Capel, Horsmonden, Marden and more.
What happens next
The proposal has been prepared for Yalding and Nettlestead parish councils. Before a bus can run we need their support, a community bus permit from the Traffic Commissioner, volunteers, and start-up funding.
If you would use the bus, please register your interest — it takes two minutes, and every confirmed sign-up is counted in the totals we show the councils. If you could drive or help run it, or know a good spot for a stop, get involved.