As reported in the May 1999 issue of Buses, Kent independent Fuggles of Benenden ceased trading after 19 March 1999. The company went into liquidation, mainly due to a shortage of drivers in South East England.

The company, named after a Kentish hop began in the early 1980's with a network of services centered on Benenden, hitherto served only by Maidstone & District's 297 service between Tunbridge Wells and Tenterden. Within a year, destinations included Canterbury, Eastbourne, Folkestone, London and Maidstone, many routes serving communities which had previously had no or occasional bus services. 

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	Fuggles Bristol RELL/ECW HHW 916L stands at Rye Station shortly after arriving from Tenterden on service 312, 27 July 1989. The 312 was an East Sussex tendered service, replacing the Tenterden - Rye section of M&D service 12, withdrawn on 26 October 1986.
	Fuggles services in 1983

The company enjoyed further success following deregulation in 1986, winning a number of tendered services from both Kent and East Sussex County Council.

• Bygone Buses • Fuggles of Benenden in 1983 •

This page was updated on May 07, 2008