SmartLink
SmartLink is a super fast bus service planned for Ashford
to meet the growing needs of its expanding population.
Funding proposals for the scheme wil not be
considered until after 2015, but a full business case has been
prepared for when the town reaches the appropriate capacity
for a major new public transport service.
The service is closely modeled on a tram-system, in that it
provides fast, regular journeys across town using its own roads and
priority lanes, without the disruption and expense of implementing
a full tram network.
With journeys every 8-10 minutes, smartcard techonology and
off-bus ticketing for faster boarding, users will be able
to simply 'turn up and go'.
SmartLink will connect Ashford's existing and lanned new
residential communites at Chilmington Green and Cheesmans
Green, the main employment areas of Cobbs Wood, Eureka Park
and Orbital Park/Sevington, Ashford International Station, William
Harvey Hospital, the Designer Outlet., and the town's three new
Park and Ride sites.
What SmartLink will offer
- Reliability: Services every 8-10 minutes, up
to 18 hours a day, with ‘real time’ travel information at SmartLink
stations and online.
- Affordability: Three travel zones for fares, a
flat rate for single fares, multi-journey tickets and smartcard
technology.
- Priority: SmartLink only roads and bus lanes,
priority at traffic signals and limited stops make SmartLink the
quickest public transport option in Ashford.
- Quality: Vehicles that are clean and safe,
comfortable journeys and beautifully designed ‘stations’ with
hi-tech shelters ticket machines, lighting, seating and cycle
storage.
- Safety: All vehicles, Park and Ride sites and
‘stations’ will have CCTV monitoring and help points linked to the
SmartLink and Park and Ride office.
- Connectivity: Services will link up with the
current bus network and the three new Park and Ride sites planned
for the town, offering comprehensive access to the whole of
Ashford.
- Style: High quality landscaping, inspiring
‘stations’ and the strong SmartLink brand in all designs.
For full
details about the service, routes and
timescales, please read the full project brochure
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