Passengers on Arriva buses in Kent Thameside now have access to free wifi, thanks to funding from Kent County Council.
The Northfleet depot, which covers Gravesend, Bluewater and Dartford, is Arriva’s first in the UK to have every bus fitted with wifi.
Simon Baxter, marketing director for Arriva, said: “This is a real step forward in modernising bus travel and hopefully correcting some misconceptions about public transport. Whether you want to catch up on some work or see what’s happening on social media, you can now do it all for free while you’re travelling.”
Kent County Council has made a contribution to the project, through the Local Growth Fund, for installing the kit in each of the 46 buses. Arriva will fund the ongoing maintenance costs.
Matthew Balfour, Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: “As a county council we are committed to improving broadband provision across the county; it is so integral to modern life, whether business, education or pleasure. Additionally, we are keen to encourage people to make use of public transport so we were pleased to provide the funding to make buses more attractive to passengers.”
Arriva buses stop at Gravesend, Northfleet, Ebbsfleet International, Swanscombe, Greenhithe, Dartford, Sevenoaks, Swanley, Orpington, Longfield, Meopham, Borough Green, Farningham Road, St Mary Cray and Stone Crossing rail stations so passengers wishing to continue their journey via Southeastern can easily do so.