Random Rides: Nu-Venture 3A/3C

[Chris]

I've had a few goes at photographing Medway's newest route numbers, but many attempts have suffered from either too much sun or not enough destination blind. 

Routes 3A and 3C replaced all of services 102, 131, 183 and 184, and the eastern part of the 120/121 to Otterham Park, whilst also providing some of the links that last year's summer service 200 offered. The timetable during term times remains shopper focused, but in school holidays there are extra afternoon journeys. There's a common route between Chatham Bus Station and the Strand, before the 3A operates via Twydall and the 3C via Riverside Country Park to Rainham. All buses run through Otterham park in the same direction to avoid parking and issues. 

DE410 is one of the regular vehicles on the service, and is seen here in Station Road, Rainham on the 3A, just achieving the photo between the car and the approaching lorry. 821, named Derek Smith, is less common, and is seen at the "terminus" of the route in Wakeley Road, Otterham Park, on the 3C. Both taken on Tuesday 22 April. 

Chris

[Chris]

Another attempt on 19th August produced this picture of 821 arriving on the 3A, just around the corner from where the earlier 3C picture was taken. 

Otterham Park and Otterham Quay are at the very edge of Medway, and much like Lordswood and Walderslade, fall partly in Medway and partly in Kent. The new housing on the eastern side of Otterham Quay Lane certainly looks quite different to the earlier buildings on the west. 

There was a bicycle involved, but I wasn't following National Cycle Network Route 1 as the sign suggests! 

Chris