The Six Sixties around Faversham
12th July 2008

The Maidstone & District bus company continued to use its traditional system of route numbering up to the autumn of 1973, but from 7th October of that year a new area-based system was introduced that by the end of 1976 had grouped the routes in each area into blocks. Most routes in the Swale area received numbers in the 3xx series, but it was soon realised that East Kent (who had begun to use a similar system in 1971) were already using 3xx numbers in the Dover and Deal areas, so to avoid confusion a separate series of 6xx numbers was introduced for use (initially) in the Faversham area.
This collection covers routes numbered in the block 660 to 669, the first of which appeared on 30 December 1973.

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Maidstone & District ran a service between Faversham and Stalisfield Green between 16 February 1949 and 2 February 1980. Initially numbered 16, it became 60A on 10 July 1966, and 60 on 5 July 1971, then 660 on 31 December 1973. This photo was taken on 2 February 1980, the last day of M&D operation and the day on which M&D's Faversham depot closed for the last time.
Maidstone & District ran a service between Faversham and Stalisfield Green between 16 February 1949 and 2 February 1980. Initially numbered 16, it became 60A on 10 July 1966, and 60 on 5 July 1971, then 660 on 31 December 1973. This photo was taken on 2 February 1980, the last day of M&D operation and the day on which M&D's Faversham depot closed for the last time.
 From 4 February 1980 Donsway Coaches (R.J. Harris) of Dunkirk near Faversham took over the operation of route 660, one of the first independents in Kent to venture into bus operation after a period of almost total dominance of the bus network by the NBC companies East Kent and M&D, and Maidstone Borough Council. The latter was the source of HKJ 256N, a Willowbrook B45F bodied Bedford YRQ, which ran initially in MBC colours modified only by the addition of a navy blue waistband and
From 4 February 1980 Donsway Coaches (R.J. Harris) of Dunkirk near Faversham took over the operation of route 660, one of the first independents in Kent to venture into bus operation after a period of almost total dominance of the bus network by the NBC companies East Kent and M&D, and Maidstone Borough Council. The latter was the source of HKJ 256N, a Willowbrook B45F bodied Bedford YRQ, which ran initially in MBC colours modified only by the addition of a navy blue waistband and "Private Enterprise" lettering! Seen at the operator's yard at Dunkirk in August 1981.
 In September 1981 Donsway added former London Transport MBA570 (AML 570H) to the fleet, an MCW B47D-bodied AEC Merlin. To begin with this ran with just the route number 660 in the destination glass,
In September 1981 Donsway added former London Transport MBA570 (AML 570H) to the fleet, an MCW B47D-bodied AEC Merlin. To begin with this ran with just the route number 660 in the destination glass,
 By August 1983 this vehicle had been equipped with full destination blinds, using London Transport-style lettering, as seen at Court Street, Faversham.
By August 1983 this vehicle had been equipped with full destination blinds, using London Transport-style lettering, as seen at Court Street, Faversham.
Approaching the terminus at Stalisfield Green in July 1986, AML 570H had by then sustained minor damage to the nearside front skirt panel, which had been repaired but not repainted.
Approaching the terminus at Stalisfield Green in July 1986, AML 570H had by then sustained minor damage to the nearside front skirt panel, which had been repaired but not repainted.
 Northbound bus stop (heading towards Faversham), Painter's Forstal, July 1984
Northbound bus stop (heading towards Faversham), Painter's Forstal, July 1984
 Southbound bus stop (heading away from Faversham), Painter's Forstal, July 1984
Southbound bus stop (heading away from Faversham), Painter's Forstal, July 1984
 After repaint into Donsway's unusual red and orange livery, HKJ 256N is seen in Court Street, Faversham in January 1986.
After repaint into Donsway's unusual red and orange livery, HKJ 256N is seen in Court Street, Faversham in January 1986.
Other routes using 66x series numbers in Faversham by January 1986 called at the same stop in Court Street, Faversham.
Other routes using 66x series numbers in Faversham by January 1986 called at the same stop in Court Street, Faversham.
 Near Otterden Place, the 660 route passes through an area of woodland. HKJ 256N is seen in the spring of 1986.
Near Otterden Place, the 660 route passes through an area of woodland. HKJ 256N is seen in the spring of 1986.
 Near Otterden Place, HKJ 256N seen a few seconds after picture 09.
Near Otterden Place, HKJ 256N seen a few seconds after picture 09.
 A rear view of HKJ 256N, showing signwritten advertising and still carrying a reflective fleet number plate from its time with Maidstone Borough Council.
A rear view of HKJ 256N, showing signwritten advertising and still carrying a reflective fleet number plate from its time with Maidstone Borough Council.
Occasionally Donsway used coaches on the 660, including Plaxton-bodied Bedford YRT SKK 998M, seen approaching Stalisfield Green in summer 1987.
Occasionally Donsway used coaches on the 660, including Plaxton-bodied Bedford YRT SKK 998M, seen approaching Stalisfield Green in summer 1987.
 By May 1988 HKJ 256N had received Donsway's later grey livery, seen in Court Street, Faversham.
By May 1988 HKJ 256N had received Donsway's later grey livery, seen in Court Street, Faversham.
 After the 1987 hurricane the woodland near Otterden Place was a shadow of its former self, as illustrated by this picture taken in May 1988.
After the 1987 hurricane the woodland near Otterden Place was a shadow of its former self, as illustrated by this picture taken in May 1988.
 In the autumn of 1989 Donsway acquired a second ex-London Transport single-decker, LS235 (THX 235S). The Graveney destination reflects the extension of the route beyond Faversham in October 1986.
In the autumn of 1989 Donsway acquired a second ex-London Transport single-decker, LS235 (THX 235S). The Graveney destination reflects the extension of the route beyond Faversham in October 1986.
The final Donsway livery was grey and red, as exemplified by ex-London Buses OV12, a VW/Optare CityPacer minibus, seen in Court Street, Faversham on 14 April 1993.
The final Donsway livery was grey and red, as exemplified by ex-London Buses OV12, a VW/Optare CityPacer minibus, seen in Court Street, Faversham on 14 April 1993.
 The Donsway fleet and operations were acquired by Chalkwell of Sittingbourne in October 1993, and the 660 was soon being run by vehicles such as former Dormobile demonstrator L775 CKM, an Iveco-badged Fiat minibus.
The Donsway fleet and operations were acquired by Chalkwell of Sittingbourne in October 1993, and the 660 was soon being run by vehicles such as former Dormobile demonstrator L775 CKM, an Iveco-badged Fiat minibus.
 L775 CKM was still in use on the 660 when seen at Stalisfield on 10 May 1996.
L775 CKM was still in use on the 660 when seen at Stalisfield on 10 May 1996.
 From 2 April 2000 KCC tendering resulted in the 660 passing to new operator Citibus of Sittingbourne, whose fleet included RIL 7153, formerly F41 XPR, ex Brighton & Hove but new to Bournemouth Tpt.
From 2 April 2000 KCC tendering resulted in the 660 passing to new operator Citibus of Sittingbourne, whose fleet included RIL 7153, formerly F41 XPR, ex Brighton & Hove but new to Bournemouth Tpt.
This and the previous photo show RIL 7153 of Citibus turning at Murton Place, Graveney.
This and the previous photo show RIL 7153 of Citibus turning at Murton Place, Graveney.
 661 had its origins with East Kent route 31 between Faversham and Chilham via Shottenden, but from 5 January 1974 it passed to M&D and was renumbered 661. 10.3m Leyland-National SJG 338N squeezes along narrow lanes approaching Shottenden on 2 February 1980.
661 had its origins with East Kent route 31 between Faversham and Chilham via Shottenden, but from 5 January 1974 it passed to M&D and was renumbered 661. 10.3m Leyland-National SJG 338N squeezes along narrow lanes approaching Shottenden on 2 February 1980.
 2 February 1980, the last day of M&D operation of 661, ironically saw an East Kent vehicle used on hire to M&D! SJG 338N turns at the Woolpack, Chilham, slightly closer to the centre of Chilham than Felborough Close which Stagecoach 652 serves today (and other East Kent routes have done for many years).
2 February 1980, the last day of M&D operation of 661, ironically saw an East Kent vehicle used on hire to M&D! SJG 338N turns at the Woolpack, Chilham, slightly closer to the centre of Chilham than Felborough Close which Stagecoach 652 serves today (and other East Kent routes have done for many years).
 From 1980 the 661 passed to Donsway of Dunkirk, and was eventually curtailed to run only between Faversham and Selling via a loop taking in Boughton and Hogben's Hill either side of Selling. After a spell being operated by Chalkwell of Sittingbourne and Regent of Whitstable, the 661 passed to Westbus of Ashford, who used former National Welsh Leyland-National KDW 339P. Seen near Selling in June 1989.
From 1980 the 661 passed to Donsway of Dunkirk, and was eventually curtailed to run only between Faversham and Selling via a loop taking in Boughton and Hogben's Hill either side of Selling. After a spell being operated by Chalkwell of Sittingbourne and Regent of Whitstable, the 661 passed to Westbus of Ashford, who used former National Welsh Leyland-National KDW 339P. Seen near Selling in June 1989.
© 1998-2009 Derek M Jones - All copyrights rest with the Author
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