Random Rides: Speldhurst

[Chris]

Even though I'm interested in the county's less frequent routes, especially when there is a rural terminus involved, I haven't always been very good at riding the routes in question (or getting as far as I'd like the further away from Mudway you get). The 285 (or predecessor 282) to Speldhurst has long been on the list, and I made my way out to this outpost of Tunbridge Wells on 1st July. 

The Saturday service provides four return journeys to the village, slightly more frequently during the week, with more journeys to the other end of the route in Hawkenbury. Two vehicles are needed during the week, but one does the job on Saturday. Three other passengers left Tunbridge Wells with me at 3pm, but contrary to what you might expect for a route of this nature, 3 passengers were waiting at Speldhurst to travel into Tunbridge Wells.

Classic E200 PH64 ZOE had only been with new owner Hams Travel at the time, having previously been with an operator in Wales. 

Chris

[Neil Gow]

I preferred it when these were being used, and I regret that I never travelled on the route back in the days when M&D ran it. Taken June 2015 and May 2016.