A busy bus service route is to be revised to meet popular demand.

The Arriva 101 which runs from Gillingham to Maidstone will once again serve The Mall shopping centre in the county town.

Bosses have altered the timetable “in answer to customer feedback” and the change comes into operation at the end of next month.

A spokesman for the operator said that after careful planning and discussion, Arriva South was pleased to announce that the route will once again include The Mall, making travel more convenient for both shoppers and commuters.

Beforehand, passengers heading to and from The Mall had to walk up to 10 minutes to reach the nearest bus stop.

Whether customers are starting their journey in Maidstone or catching a connecting service, this new stop offers greater accessibility and ease of travel, Arriva said.

It also means passengers will be able to board other services within The Mall to destinations across the town and beyond.

Michael Jennings, Arriva South’s head of commercial, said: “This is a change that’s been requested by our customers and it shows that we listen to what they have to say about our services and we act on that feedback wherever possible.”

The 101 service dates back more than 115 years and is believed to be the oldest bus route in the county.

It starts at the shopping parade at Twydall travelling through Gillingham, Brompton, Chatham, down Blue Bell Hill and into Maidstone.

The new timetable comes into effect from Wednesday, April 30.