The shuttle service will serve Tunbridge Wells Hospital and Maidstone Hospital. In Tunbridge Wells, drivers can park at Knights Park, while in Maidstone, parking will be available on London Road. This initiative is a game-changer for hospital accessibility, making it easier for patients, visitors, and staff to reach the hospitals.
But the benefits of this service extend beyond those who park at the designated car parks. Even those without a vehicle can utilise the shuttle bus service to and from the hospital. The trust has stated that this new scheme should help create additional parking capacity away from the busy hospital sites, easing congestion and making hospital visits less stressful.
The service will run from Monday to Friday, with the first bus for Tunbridge Wells scheduled to run at 6.40am, arriving at the hospital five minutes later. The last bus from the hospital will leave at 8.46pm. Maidstone follows a similar timetable, with the first bus leaving at 6.40am and the last bus from Maidstone Hospital running at 9.15pm.
A spokesperson for the trust described the new park and ride service as a "more sustainable way for patients, visitors and staff to travel to and from our hospitals." They also highlighted the convenience of the regular shuttle buses and the free parking option provided by the trust.
This innovative solution to hospital travel is set to launch on Wednesday, January 1. It's a prime example of how local services are continually improving to meet the needs of the community. At Burnett's, we're always excited to see such developments in our local area, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on our community.
