Beach Bus to operate from Ashford this summer

Stagecoach has announced it will be running a ‘beach bus’ this summer. The new route 500 service will link residents in Ashford with the popular beaches of Camber Sands in East Sussex.

The bus operator confirmed the new service will begin on 27 July, running for five weeks until the end of August in line with school summer holidays.

Buses will run four times a day from Ashford town centre and will be timed to connect with high-speed train services at the International Station. The service will operate directly to and from Camber calling at Ham Street and Lydd.

Joel Mitchell, managing director of Stagecoach South East, said: “We're aiming this at families who otherwise might not be able to get to the coast, either because they don't have access to a car or potentially because the railway is unaffordable or doesn't get them where they want to go.

“It’s about looking after the community and trying to do something a bit different and worthwhile for the summer holidays.”

Cllr Noel Ovenden, Leader of Ashford Borough Council, said: “We’re pleased to get on board with this campaign. We hope residents will take advantage of this offer and enjoy some family fun at the beach during the summer.”

Camber Sands is one of the south east’s top summer visitor destinations and the only sand dune beach in East Sussex. Stretching for almost five miles, the resort includes holiday parks and water sports activities including windsurfing and kitesurfing.

Return tickets for the 500 bus will cost £5. A family day ticket will be available for £17.10 covering all Stagecoach bus services in the region for groups of up to five people with no more than two adults. Concessions passes will also be valid on the service.

More information about the beach bus, including the timetable, can be found on the Stagecoach website.