Supported bus services

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03/04/2022

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 us. You can find the latest list of services at the bottom of this webpage.

Our 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 Essex County Council.
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.

Ongoing consultations
Consultation on Local Bus Services Uttlesford Our contracted Service 5 - Bishop’s Stortford to Stansted Airport – Monday to Saturday, operated by Stephenson’s of Essex Our contracted Service 6 – Saffron Walden to Stansted Airport – Monday to Saturday, operated by Stephenson’s of Essex Our contracted Service 301 – Bishop’s Stortford to Saffron Walden – Monday to Saturday, operated by Stephenson’s of Essex Our contracted Service 313/313a – Saffron Walden to Great Dunmow – Monday to Saturday, operated by Stephenson’s of Essex Our contracted Service 59/60 – Audley End to Haverhill – Monday to Saturday, operated by Stephenson’s of Essex The above Essex County Council (ECC) contracts are due to expire on 31 July 2022 and we are is taking the opportunity to take into consideration the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) and make use of developer funding. Therefore, it is our intention to tender for enhanced timetables to begin on 01 August 2022. We welcome your comments on the proposed changes to the timetable, for further information and to give feedback, please go to our website at: https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/iptu/uttlesford-bus-consultation-feb-2022 Closing date for comments will be Monday 28 February 2022. Alternatively, the public can obtain a copy of the proposed timetables from the bus operator or from Saffron Walden Tourist Information Centre.

Recent closed consultations
Consultation on service 381 - Coopersale to Harlow operated by Vectare Vectare are requesting to change the timetable for service 381 to provide a more consistent and uniform timetable. The operator is also requesting a change to the service number from 381 to 31. This will enable them to introduce a new commercial service between Coopersale and Epping St Margaret’s Hospital which will be numbered service 30. Please see the details of the proposed changes. The consultation closed on Monday 18 October 2021.
Consultation on service 14 - Pinnacles to Harlow operated by Central Connect / Galleon Travel Following requests from passengers we are proposing to change the timetable for the above service. The changes are to be made to the Monday - Friday timetable only, there will be no changes to the Saturday service. These changes will take affect from 02 January 2022. Please see the details of the proposed changes. The consultation closed on Monday 18 October 2021.
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 26^th March 2021 and passenger usage has been insufficient for the service to continue commercially. We are therefore considering withdrawing this service with effect from March 26^th 2021 OUTCOME: The consultation has been assessed and the decision made to withdraw Service 71C, the last day of operation is 30 April 2021.
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 19 April 2021.