Pentagon Bus Station

Pentagon Bus Station is the main bus interchange in Chatham, Kent. It is an integral part of the Pentagon Shopping Centre. As a result, 80% of local services start, terminate or pass through the Centre [ [http://www.pentagonshoppingcentre.co.uk/getting_there.html Pentagon Shopping Centre] Getting there]

The Pentagon Bus Station is arranged as two lane one way ring road around the outside of the Pentagon Shopping Centre at the upper level. The station has 18 bays, all on the inside of the road around the irregular 5 sided building. Buses access from street level via one street level ramp and exit via the same or a second ramp as appropriate.

The Pentagon Bus Station is leased by Arriva Southern Counties from Medway Council until 2018, by virtue of Arriva having taken over Maidstone & District Motor Services Ltd, the previous incumbent. Access to the station by other operators has been a cause of historical controversy. The issue was placed within the scope of a 1993 Competition Commission inquiry into "The supply of bus services in Mid and West Kent" [ [http://www.mmc.gov.uk/rep_pub/reports/1993/336busservices.htm The supply of bus services in Mid and West Kent] ] . As a result of the inquiry, M&D were required to undertake to provide equal access at reasonable rates and conditions.

As of 2007 the second largest bus operator in the area, Nu-Venture, still chooses not to use the station, preferring Military Road directly outside the centre [ [http://www.nu-venture.co.uk/2003%20Town%20Maps/Medway.htm#CC Nu-Venture] where to catch your bus] . A free Park and Ride service from Horsted operated by Nu-Venture also makes its Chatham stop in Military Road. [ [http://www.medway.gov.uk/index/environment/publictransport/buses/20119.htm Medway Authority site] Park and Ride]

References

ee also

* Arriva Southern Counties
* Pentagon Shopping Centre

External links

* [http://www.pentagonshoppingcentre.co.uk/ Pentagon Shopping Centre]