Medway Council has been allocated £15.4 million in government funding to overhaul the local bus network over the next three years, the Department for Transport announced in January 2026. The three-year investment package forms part of a wider £3 billion funding boost across the United Kingdom and comprises £10.1 million in capital funding and £5.3 million in revenue support.

The funding will be deployed to deliver faster, cheaper, and more reliable public transport across the borough. According to council guidance, the money can be used to reduce fares, introduce new routes, invest in zero-emission buses, and improve bus stops and passenger safety infrastructure. Council portfolio holder for climate change and strategic regeneration Cllr Simon Curry welcomed the investment, stating: “Improving public transport is vital to support sustainable travel, reduce congestion, and to help residents access jobs, education, and services.”

Specific Improvements Already Underway

Medway Council has published a Bus Service Improvement Plan setting out how the funding will be deployed to create a fully integrated public transport network by 2035. Initial projects include replacing bus stop shelters with “living roof” designs featuring LED lighting and solar panels, procuring new real-time information systems for Chatham Waterfront Bus Station and 20 additional bus stops, and upgrading traffic signals along key routes including the A2 corridor.

The council is also introducing additional evening and Sunday services on routes including the 132, 166, and 155, with plans to extend Sunday services to lower Gillingham and improve connections to Medway City Estate and Medway Valley Park. A free children’s bus travel scheme for summer holidays and continued “Catch the Bus” weekend promotions featuring free travel across all operators are also being implemented.

Recovery and Future Direction

The investment comes as passenger numbers in Medway continue to recover following the pandemic. Journeys rose from just under 3 million during Covid restrictions to 7.8 million in 2024/25. Recent free bus travel weekends saw passenger numbers increase by 32% in June 2025, demonstrating demand for improved services.

Recent completed works include 24 bus stop replacements, installation of new bus lane enforcement cameras, and safety improvements at Chatham Waterfront Bus Station. The council emphasised that three-year funding commitments, rather than year-by-year allocations, would enable longer-term planning and service stability.

Key Takeaways

• £15.4 million allocated to Medway Council until 2029 for bus service and infrastructure improvements
• Funding enables additional evening and Sunday services, zero-emission buses, and enhanced passenger facilities
• Real-time information systems, modern bus shelters with solar power, and traffic signal upgrades are priority projects
• Passenger numbers have recovered to 7.8 million journeys annually following the pandemic

What This Means for Kent Residents

Medway residents can expect more frequent bus services, particularly on evenings and Sundays, alongside improved waiting facilities and modern journey planning information. The investment prioritises sustainable transport and reduced congestion, benefiting both commuters and the local environment. Services including the free summer holiday scheme and regular free weekend promotions will continue, whilst planned infrastructure improvements aim to make bus travel more reliable and accessible across the borough through 2029.