Kent Industrial Action
Updated 26th October 2022.
Updated: 26th October 2022
We are pleased to confirm our pay offer has been accepted by Unite members, this means no further industrial action across the region and Arriva services will continue to operate as normal across Tunbridge Wells, Gillingham, Maidstone and Northfleet
Updated: 22nd October 2022
We can confirm that Arriva and Unite the Union have reached an agreement on our latest pay offer today and Unite will now take this offer to our colleagues for ballot.
Furthermore, it has also been agreed that planned industrial action across Northfleet, Gillingham, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells will be suspended on Monday 24th, Tuesday 25th, Wednesday 26th & Thursday 27th October and all parties will now work together to progress the pay offer.
We will keep our customers and stakeholders updated on the outcome of this ballot.
Updated: 20th October 2022
We are incredibly disappointed that Unite members have voted not to accept our latest improved and above inflation pay offer, inflicting yet further disruption on our customers in the Northfleet, Gillingham, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells areas with industrial action taking place on Monday 24th, Tuesday 25th, Wednesday 26th, Thursday 27th and Friday 28th October.
We will continue to do all we can to resolve this dispute as quickly as possible.
We understand the detrimental impact this situation is having on our customers, our communities, our local economy - we urge the unions to reconsider their position, act in good faith and show a genuine willingness to resolve this dispute for the benefit of their members and our customers
Updated: 17th October 2022
We can confirm that Arriva and Unite the Union have reached an agreement on our latest pay offer, and Unite will now take this offer to our colleagues for ballot this week.
Furthermore, it has also been agreed that planned industrial action across Northfleet, Gillingham, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells will be suspended on Wednesday 19th, Thursday 20th and Friday 21st October and all parties will now work together to progress the pay offer.
We will keep our customers and stakeholders updated on the outcome of this ballot.
Updated: 11th October 2022
We are extremely disappointed for all our customers to confirm that Unite have planned a further 13 days of industrial action in October and November across Northfleet, Gillingham, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells. The dates are:
Wednesday 19th, Thursday 20th and Friday 21st October
Monday 24th, Tuesday 25th, Wednesday 26th, Thursday 27th and Friday 28th October
Monday 7th, Tuesday 8th, Wednesday 9th, Thursday 10th and Friday 11th November
We recognise that this will mean upheaval to our customers and communities through this ongoing industrial action in the region, despite a generous pay offer being tabled.
We urge the Union to ballot on our pay offer as soon as possible. We will continue to keep our customers and stakeholders updated, we apologise for the inconvenience this will cause across the region.
Updated: 10th October 2022
For services in Maidstone that will be running on 10th and 11th October, please click here.
Updated: 6th October 2022
Tunbridge Wells service 6X will be running on 6th October.
For services in Maidstone that will be running on 6th and 7th October, please click here.
Northfleet will be operating an approximated 30 minute service on Fastrack A from 05:00 - 19:00 on 6th, 7th, 10th and 11th October. The school services on 489, 414 and 497 will also be running on these days.
Updated: 29th September 2022
The following services will be running in Northfleet on 30th September:
- 414 – Horton Kirby to Wilmington Academy - 06:54 -08:51 - 4230
- 414 – Wilmington Academy to Horton Kirby – 15:00 – 16:57 - 4120
- 489 – Redhill Wood to Longfield Academy – 06:57 – 08:38 - 4290
- 489 – Longfield Academy to Redhill Wood – 15:10 – 16:15 - 4061
- 497 – Temple Hill Square (West) to Ebbsfleet Academy – 07:01 – 08:18 – 4270
- 497 – Ebbsfleet Academy to Temple Hill Square (West) 14:37 – 15:54 – 4131
- Fastrack A - 30 minutes frequency between 05:00 and 22:00
For services in Tunbridge Wells that will be running on 30th September, please click here.
For services in Maidstone that will be running on 30th September, please click here.
Updated: 27th September 2022
We are extremely disappointed for all our customers to confirm that further industrial action will take place in October across Northfleet, Gillingham, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells on the following dates: 6th, 7th, 10th & 11th October.
Arriva remains committed to resolving the industrial action and continues to encourage the Unite trade union to ballot on our pay offer. We will continue to keep our customers and stakeholders updated, we apologise for the inconvenience this will cause across the region.
| Date | Northfleet | Gillingham | Maidstone | Tunbridge Wells | Updates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday 30th September | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Thursday 6th October | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Friday 7th October | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Monday 10th October | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Tuesday 11th October | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Updated: 12th September 2022
Unite the Union have confirmed there will be no Arriva industrial action across Northfleet, Gillingham, Maidstone & Turnbridge Wells on Friday 16th September & Tuesday 20th September – as a mark of respect, following the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II
Updated: 8th September 2022
Following a first day of industrial action across Northfleet, Gillingham, Maidstone & Turnbridge Wells this week – with a second day due to take place on Friday 16th September, Unite the Union have confirmed further strike action will take place on Tuesday 20th and Friday 30th September.
This will be disappointing news for our customers.
We have put forward a significant pay offer for our employees, which recognises the great work that they do and reflects the unprecedented cost-of-living challenge facing the region. However, any pay rise has to be affordable in order to protect the long-term sustainability of the bus network. We urge Unite the union to work with us by suspending strike action and allow members to vote on this increase.
We will ensure our customers and stakeholders are kept informed on any services which are due to run across the Region on planned strike days. The overwhelmingly positive result from our Southend pay ballot this week means there’ll be no further threats of industrial action or impacted services across the City and we can also confirm our Harlow & Colchester services are also not impacted by any industrial action in September.
Updated: 6th September 2022
Kent and Northfleet services back up and running.
Updated: 5th September 2022
Tunbridge Wells is operating some journeys on the 6X
Tunbridge Wells Hospital 725 845 1145 1445 1615 1740
Nettlestead Hop Pole 740 900 1200 1500 1630 1755
Wateringbury Hotel 750 910 1210 1510 1640 1805
Barming Bull Inn 755 915 1215 1515 1645 1810
Maidstone Hospital l 800 920 1220 1520 1650 1815
Maidstone Hospital I 800 930 1230 1530 1700 1820
Barming Bull Inn 810 936 1236 1536 1706 1825
Wateringbury Hotel 820 943 1243 1543 1713 1830
Nettlestead Hop Pole 826 949 1249 1549 1719 1835
Tunbridge Wells Hospital 845 1005 1305 1605 1735 1850
ArrivaClick Ebbsfleet is operating as normal.
Updated: 2nd September 2022
During the planned strike action on 5th September in the Kent & Medway region we’ll be running a limited service. See below for details.
Northfleet – limited service will operate on Fastrack A. The last Fastrack Sunday evening runs in at 05:00 Monday Morning. First Fastrack on Tuesday is 04:35. We will be trying to operate a half hourly service on Fastrack A between 05:00 and 21:00 on Monday. Fastrack service AZ will be operated by a different operator on Monday 5th September. School journeys on the 414 and 489 in the morning, 423 in the afternoon and 497 in the morning and afternoon will operate for school children;
No services at any other depots are expected to operate.
Update on planned strike action in Kent
Despite further negotiations with our Union partner this week, we are extremely disappointed for all our customers to confirm that industrial action will take place across Northfleet, Gillingham, Maidstone & Turnbridge Wells on Monday 5th September and on Friday 16th September.
Arriva remains committed to resolving the industrial action and would encourage Unite to ballot on this latest pay offer. We will continue to keep our customers and stakeholders updated, we apologise for the inconvenience this will cause across the region, particularly as our schools return for a new academic year.
FAQs
I have purchased a ticket to travel which is now on a strike day. Can I get a refund of my ticket?
If you hold a ticket which is valid on a strike day and would like to request credit, please contact our customer services team by clicking on this link.
Depending on your ticket type you will need to provide the following information:
- Paper ticket: please provide an image of the ticket with your credit request. Together with your postal address.
- M-Ticket: please provide your order ID which can be found on the email confirmation you received when you purchased the ticket.
- Arriva Connect Smart Cards: please provide the long card number found on the card and the email address linked to your connect account.
- Direct Debit Enquiries: please use the relevant email address below for your area
- Beds & Bucks - Please email the Direct Debit team on [email protected]
- Kent, Surrey, Herts & Essex - Please email the Direct Debit team on [email protected]
If you hold a weekly or monthly ticket and the day of the strike coincides with the dates on your ticket, we will honour the ticket by extending the ticket by 1 day after the original expiry date per day of industrial action.
Will you be providing compensation for any other costs I incur as a result of the strike?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide compensation for any additional costs you may incur due to the strike.