[Location: Herne bay] Kent hotspots revealed as Stagecoach cracks down on vaping on buses
Kent Online 2026-10-04 16:15:03
Context: Stagecoach South East, a bus operator in Kent, has identified Herne Bay and Dover as hotspots for vaping on buses, prompting a crackdown on the issue. The company has been monitoring incidents of vaping on its buses, which is strictly banned, and has carried out targeted plain-clothes checks to catch offenders. The checks have found numerous cases of vaping, including among young people traveling to and from schools and colleges.
Key Facts
- Herne Bay sees the second-highest number of passengers using vapes on Stagecoach buses, after Hastings in neighbouring East Sussex which has the most incidents.
- Stagecoach South East has carried out targeted plain-clothes checks, identifying passengers vaping across five services during one operation.
- The checks found young people vaping while traveling to and from schools and colleges in places such as Ashford.
- Joel Mitchell, managing director at Stagecoach South East, is leading the effort to crack down on vaping and other antisocial behaviour on the company's buses.