Council plans to stop funding nine bus routes.
A council is considering reducing the funding for nine bus routes. It is one of the options Essex County Council is seeking public feedback on during a consultation on the buses it supports.
The authority spends approximately £11 million per year on 41 bus services, the majority of which operate in rural areas.
Council cabinet member Tom Cunningham, who is in charge of sustainable transport, stated, “We want to ensure that council services are of the highest quality possible and represent a good investment for Essex taxpayers.”
Cunningham, a Conservative councillor, acknowledged that local buses could be a “lifeline”. “I would invite as many people as possible, particularly those that use the services currently being reviewed, to share their views with us,” the politician said.
There are 154 services in the county, but the consultation, which runs until October, excludes those operated by commercial bus companies.
The council stated that its 41 routes are those that private companies believe are not commercially viable.
It proposes changes to 12 of its 16 “lower use” services and 10 of the 16 deemed “higher use.” The remaining nine routes will no longer receive county council funding and will be returned to commercial operation in April 2026.
These routes were previously commercially operated, but have been supported since the Covid-19 pandemic.
A council spokesman stated that the nine routes were funded by a Department of Transport grant, so discontinuing support for them would have no impact on the authority’s budgets.
First currently operates all nine routes, including the C3, C8, and C11 Chelmsford routes, which operate Monday through Saturday, as well as Sunday and public holiday services for the C3 and C11.
Also included are the Saturday-only 336 Chelmsford to South Woodham and 351 Chelmsford to Brentwood, as well as the Sunday and public holiday services 31/332 Chelmsford to Southminster and B2 Basildon to Laindon.
It is unclear whether First will be able to maintain them if the proposals are implemented.
According to James McCluskey, commercial director at First Bus East, “We are analysing the impact of funding changes and working with Essex County Council through their consultation.”
The consultation runs until October 27th. The council intends to reach a decision by the end of the year.
Also included are the Saturday-only 336 Chelmsford to South Woodham and 351 Chelmsford to Brentwood, and the Sunday and public holiday services 31/332 Chelmsford to Southminster and B2 Basildon to Laindon.
It is not clear yet if First will be able to maintain them if the proposals go ahead.
James McCluskey, commercial director at First Bus East, said: “We are analysing the impact of funding changes and working with Essex County Council through their consultation.”
The consultation runs until 27 October. The council expects to make a decision by the end of the year.
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