What are supported local bus services?
Most buses in Essex are run by commercial busineses without subsidy from the local authority. Essex County Council refers to the running of these services as being "on a commercial basis". These companies range from small, family-run businesses to big multi-national companies.
A small percentage of bus services or routes are run with financial support from Essex County Council (ECC). You can find the latest list of services at the bottom of this webpage.
ECC Bus service consultations look to understand the impact of service changes to people using the service as well as ensuring the service meets the criteria set out by the Bus Strategy "Getting Around in Essex". You can see details of the Getting Around in Essex Strategy.
What can I find on these pages?
On these pages you can find the following information:
- Bus services or routes which are run with financial support from ECC
- Details of recent Consultations on service changes (including services that are being consulted on for potential withdrawal or service reduction).
- Information regarding Funding for Supported Services 2020/21. You can see Essex County Council’s letter of Intent regarding the funding in the documents section of the page, this sets out our original statement of intent, however, this may be updated due to the COVID-19 pandemic and we will publish updates if this is the case. You can also see the Department for Transport response.
Recent closed consultations
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Consultation on Service 71C – Pilgrims Hatch to Brentwood operated by Stephenson's
Closed: 14 February 2021
Service 71C operates peak time journeys only Monday to Fridays with financial support from developer funding, the funding from the S106 agreement will cease to support this service from 26th March 2021 and passenger usage has been insufficient for the service to continue commercially. ECC is therefore considering withdrawing this
service with effect from March 26th 2021
OUTCOME: The consultation has been assessed and the decision made to withdraw Service 71C, the last day of operation is 30 April 2021
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Consultation on Service 13A – Wickford to Chelmsford operated by First Essex Buses
Closed: 01 February 2021
We have been informed of difficulties with this service using Short Lane and Park Lane in Ramsden Heath. Following Customer and Operator feedback we intend for the bus to enter Ramsden Heath via Hawkswood Rd and Dowsetts Lane instead of entering the village via Sudbury Rd. The nearest stop for residents of Short Lane and Park Lane will be Dovedale Close on Downham Rd.
OUTCOME: This change is planned from 12 April 2021
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Park & Ride Concessionary Bus Pass Consultation May 2019
Closed: 31 July 2019
Consultation on changes to the use of Concessionary Bus Passes on Essex County Council run Park and Ride services only from April 2020.
OUTCOME:
At present all
bus pass holders pay the full park and ride fare until 09:00 (except at
weekends and public holidays when they travel free at all time). Between
09:00 and 24:00 they travel for free.
From 01 April 2020 older people’s pass holders will have to pay a reduced rate of £1.50 at all times. There is an introductory offer of 2 adult pass holders can travel for £2 for the first six months.
Disability
pass holders will still be able to travel free between 09:00 and 24:00 on
weekdays and at all times at weekends and public holidays.
In addition they will be able to pay a reduced fare of £1.50 to travel before 09:00 on weekdays.
This decision relates to both Chelmsford Park
and Rides (Sandon & Chelmer Valley), Colchester Park and Ride and the
Broomfield Hospital Shuttle Service.
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Chelmsford Park & Ride Consultation January 2019
Closed: 22 March 2019
Essex County Council is reviewing the ticketing options and fares offered and days of opening for the Chelmsford Park and Ride Services.
OUTCOME: The consultation is being assessed.
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Consultation on proposals for a review of Essex County Council’s supported Evening and Sunday local bus services - Consultation December 2018
Closed: 22 March 2019
Essex County Council (ECC) is reviewing the way it supports local bus services which operate on evenings and Sundays and carried out a public consultation. The consultation also included proposals regarding delivering ECC services differently and devolving ECC funded local bus services to communities.
OUTCOME: The consultation has been assessed
https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/rci/local-bus-consultation-2019/
Please also see:
https://essexhighways.org/getting-around/bus/bus-service-changes.aspx
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