Bus Information

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has led to the decision to suspend all Essex County Council Park and ride services from the end of normal operating hours on Saturday 28 March.  

All Essex Park and Ride services will be suspended temporarily at the end of normal working hours on Saturday 28 March 2020.

This is in response to strict Government guidance urging people to stay in their homes and travel only when absolutely necessary to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The service and sites at both Chelmsford and Colchester will remain closed until further notice.

If it is absolutely necessary that you need to travel to work there are alternative car parks available in both Chelmsford and Colchester.

ECC has been working closely with both Broomfield and Colchester hospitals to ensure key workers who use the Park and Ride services have suitable alternatives available to them.

Timetables & updates

We are currently expecting a normal level of service on all routes until Sunday 22 March. We have been advised that several bus companies will be running Saturday services on weekdays, from Monday 23 March.  

For Operators website or Twitter details please see the operators spreadsheet in order to access the latest updates from the Bus Operators themselves.

Concessionary Passes

These are challenging times and we know people will be relying on bus services to be able to get to key services. You may also have heard that a number of supermarkets, banks and other businesses are making special early opening arrangements so that people in high risk groups can use them before the general public are allowed in.

To help people make use of these offers, Essex County Council has agreed with bus operators that holders of Essex concessionary bus passes will be able to use them to travel free all day instead of after 09:00 as at present. This will start from Saturday 21 March 2020 and will continue until the government relaxes the current restrictions. Please see Concessionary Bus Pass hours - information poster for details.

As the availability of bus services is likely to change over the coming weeks, you are strongly advised to check on your bus operator’s website, social media and phone apps to see what bus services will be running before starting your journey.