£1 bus fare offer for Maidstone River Festival on 25 July

Anyone heading to the Maidstone River Festival this summer can jump on an Arriva bus for £1 each way, rather than circling the town centre hunting for somewhere to park. Kent County Council is picking up the tab for the reduced fare across all Arriva services within the Maidstone Area ticket zone on the day itself, Saturday 25 July 2026.

The council says the offer is designed to take some of the pressure off Maidstone’s roads and car parks on what will be a hectic Saturday. It’s part of a broader government-funded programme to get more people onto buses for big events across Kent. KCC ran something similar earlier this year, laying on free shuttle buses from Maidstone and Sittingbourne for the Kent County Show.

Spencer Dixon, KCC’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said the scheme gives people a convenient, low-cost way to travel and helps reduce traffic and parking demand.

The festival is free to attend. It’s been running for more than 40 years, put together by local volunteers with backing from local businesses and sponsors — and it draws people from right across the county, so the bus offer is useful well beyond Maidstone itself.

David Naghi, Maidstone River Festival Chairman, said the offer helps people travel cheaply on what will be a busy day on the roads. And Michael Jennings, Arriva South’s Head of Commercial, said the scheme makes it easier for people to leave the car at home and enjoy the day out by bus.

KCC has confirmed further bus fare offers linked to events elsewhere in Kent are due in the coming weeks.

Key information

• Date: Saturday 25 July 2026 only
• Fare: £1 flat single fare on any Arriva service in the Maidstone Area ticket zone
• Event: Maidstone River Festival — free entry, no ticket needed
• More offers: KCC has confirmed additional event bus fare deals across Kent are coming soon