Replacement bus services

About rail replacement bus services

At Southeastern, we work hard to provide a reliable and punctual service. However, there are times when buses will replace trains due to essential maintenance, improvement, or unexpected disruption.

When rail replacement services are in use:

• We aim to provide accessible replacement buses wherever possible.
• A different timetable will be in place, and journeys may take longer than usual.
• Delays can occur due to unforeseen issues like traffic or emergency road closures, so we recommend allowing extra time for your journey.

Information about upcoming rail replacement services can be found by checking the dates in the calendar on our planned engineering work page.

You can find the location of pick-up and drop-off points by checking station signs, and customer information screens (CIS) or by searching in our station information pages.

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Travel advice for using replacement bus services

When traveling on our replacement bus services, here’s what you need to know to help make your journey as smooth as possible:

Tickets and Boarding

• Valid train tickets are required before boarding.
• For safety, e-scooters, bicycles (except folding bikes), and dogs (except Guide Dogs) cannot be carried.
• Pushchairs and prams should be folded down where possible.

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Facilities on replacement buses

• There are no toilets onboard replacement buses. You can check toilet availability at stations on our station information pages.
• The consumption of alcohol is not permitted.

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Stops and signage

• Replacement buses only stop at designated rail replacement stops and cannot make additional stops upon request.
• Most buses will display a sign in the window or use onboard electronic displays to show the stations they are calling at.

At most stations, staff will be available to direct you to the correct vehicle. Some routes may offer:

• Direct services to a destination.
• Buses that stop at all stations along the route.
• If you're unsure, a member of staff can help you find the right service for your journey.

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Vehicles used for rail replacement

• The type of vehicle used depends on service frequency and customer numbers. These may include coaches, buses, taxis or minibuses.
• We work hard to ensure PSVAR-compliant vehicles (designed for accessibility) are used wherever possible. You can find more details about the accessibility of replacement buses on the National Rail website.

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At Southeastern, we are committed to accessible travel for all. For more information, visit our accessible travel section.

If you have any additional questions about traveling with us during engineering work, please check our engineering work FAQs for further assistance.