Go-Coach 5014 (YJ62 FUG) on 479

[Derek Jones]

Obviously sister to 5013 illustrated in the earlier 489 posting, 5014 was found passing a couple of the several food dispensaries in Station Road, Longfield on 22 August 2025 operating on the 479 between New Ash Green and Bluewater via Darenth.  Introduced as C3 experimentally in April 2024, this was renumbered 479 in April 2025 and will be diverted from 1st September 2025 to double-run to serve Bean village en route to Bluewater, thereby replacing part of the 470.  At the same time it changes operator, with Brookline Coaches taking the service up under a new KCC contract.

The combined effect means Go-Coach relinquishes three services in the same area at the same time, though none have been operated for a particularly long period - 470 is withdrawn entirely, 479 goes to Brookline and 489 to 1stBusStop.

The new timetable for 479 will add a later afternoon peak return journey and will also absorb AM & PM school trips between New Ash Green and Longfield Academy that until July were numbered 489 under a separate contract with RedRoute.  The timetable will now extend across more of the day and should make it more cost-effective, and hopefully attracts some more passengers.

Derek J