Go-Coach Hire has started a new route from Sevenoaks to Orpington, to replace a service withdrawn by Arriva.
The 431 connects Dunton Green, Knockholt, Halstead and Badgers Mount with Orpington High Street, complementing Transport for London (TfL) services in the area. A fully refurbished and branded Optare Versa is to be used in Go-Coach’s familiar yellow and purple livery. Aesys multi-colour destination displays have also been fitted.
The service was launched at Polhill Garden Centre using one of the Go-Coach Routemasters.
Previously unserved by buses, a partnership between both companies has led to the garden centre paying for a new bus shelter by the entrance.
Austin Blackburn, Go-Coach Managing Director, said: “Following the locally controversial decision for Arriva to withdraw its 402 north of Dunton Green, we are more than happy to do something to help replace it.
“The bus will certainly turn heads in a red TfL bus dominated Orpington area and hopefully this will lead to growth of the service in the future.”
