Thanet bus routes 9 and 32 secured for six months

From Sunday 20 September 2026, two Thanet bus routes that had been at risk of ending will keep running with support from Kent County Council. The route 9 connection between Ramsgate, Minster and Monkton, and route 32 between Minnis Bay and Margate, have initially been secured for six months.

There is an important detail behind that good news. Route 32 is due to keep its current timetable and frequency, but route 9 will run to a reduced timetable. Several other Stagecoach routes change on the same day, so it is worth checking the new timetable even if your usual bus number still appears.

Who this update is for

This is most useful for people making regular journeys between Ramsgate, Minster and Monkton, or between Minnis Bay, Birchington and Margate. It also matters to anyone planning school, work, appointment or shopping trips after 20 September.

Route 9: the service continues, with fewer journeys

Kent County Council says its replacement arrangement covers a Monday to Saturday off-peak service linking Ramsgate, Minster and Monkton. Stagecoach describes the new route 9 timetable as reduced.

Check the new route 9 and 9X timetable before relying on a familiar departure time. Stagecoach says route 9X is mostly unchanged, although the 4.15pm journey from Canterbury will run on school days only.

Route 32: current timetable and frequency retained

Route 32 links Margate town centre with Garlinge, Westgate, Birchington and Minnis Bay. Stagecoach says it will continue at its current frequency with council support.

The published timetable includes Margate Cecil Square, Hartsdown Academy, Garlinge Craven Close, Westgate Walmer Castle, Birchington Square, Birchington railway station and Minnis Bay Canute Road. These are useful reference points rather than a complete stop list. Use the route 32 timetable for the full schedule.

If you are planning a day out at the western end of Thanet, our Birchington without a car guide explains how Minnis Bay and Quex Park can fit into one trip. Recheck the bus times first, particularly for the return journey.

Other Thanet routes still change on 20 September

The council funding does not leave the rest of the network untouched. Stagecoach's published changes include:

• Route 34 will run hourly between Margate Cecil Square, Dane Valley and Westwood Cross. Its current Westwood Cross to Ramsgate section moves to the new route 44.
• Routes 43 and 44 will each run hourly. On the sections they share, that should provide two buses an hour.
• Routes 45 and 45A will be withdrawn. Route 44 replaces the Ramsgate to Sandwich section, while selected school journeys are renumbered 945.

Anyone using those services should read the full Thanet network change notice, rather than assuming the route 9 and 32 decision applies elsewhere.

Fares change on the same date

Stagecoach is also changing fares across Kent and East Sussex from 20 September. It says a single fare will rise by no more than 20p and remain capped at £3 under the Government scheme, subject to the exclusions listed by the operator.

From that date, Stagecoach lists the Thanet local DayRider at £6.60 for adults, £5 for children and under 19s, and £13.20 for a group of up to five people. Ticket rules and prices can change, so check the Stagecoach fare notice before buying.

Why the six-month period matters

KCC says the two replacement arrangements are initially secured for six months through Government Bus Grant funding. During that period, it will monitor passenger numbers and consider whether the routes are viable for longer-term support.

The council has not published a precise end date or promised that the same timetable will continue after the initial period. If either route is important to you, check the operator's journey planner for each trip and look out for a further council or Stagecoach update before March 2027.

Information checked on 9 September 2026. Timetables can change at short notice.