96 bus route to serve hospital
The 96 bus has been re-routed to serve Darent Valley Hospital and will use part of the Fastrack Bus Rapid Transit system between Dartford and Bluewater.
The changes come as a result of a concerted campaign by Bexley council to improve transport links to and from the borough to essential health services. As well as improving reliability, the change improves access to Darent Valley Hospital, particularly for people in the Welling and Bexleyheath areas who will no longer need to change buses in Dartford.
Council leader Cllr Teresa O’Neill said: “I am delighted that Bexley residents will now be able to access a faster, more direct bus route to Darent Valley Hospital and that Transport for London has listened and responded to our calls for this change.
“It is an important step forward in our plans to improve transport connections and services in the borough.”
The 96 bus route currently runs between Woolwich and Bluewater shopping centre via Plumstead, Welling, Bexleyheath, Crayford and Dartford.
Between Dartford, East Hill and Bluewater, buses will now run via Park Road, Princes Road, the Fastrack system, Darent Valley Hospital (serving the bus stops near the hospital entrance) and then back on to the Fastrack system. There is no change to the frequency or to the other bus stops served.
Apart from serving the hospital, route 96 will continue to run non-stop between Dartford town centre and Bluewater. It will no longer take an alternative route during periods of heavy traffic.
A map of the revised route can be found at www.tfl.gov.uk/permbuschanges