Local Bus Supported services & consultations

Local Bus Consultations

When making a change to a subsidised service (one which Essex County Council (ECC) supports the Transport Provider to run), we first like to understand the impact for people using the service, as well as ensuring we meet our criteria set out in the Bus Strategy "Getting Around in Essex".

You can see details here of the Getting Around in Essex Strategy.

Current on Bus Consultations:

Consultation 1.

This consultation has closed.

Following the public consultation in 2025 on the future of ECC supported local bus services the outcome has been decided that nine services will have journeys / specific services withdrawn.

For ease we have separated these out in the table below by service number and days of operation, please use the links to answer the questions per service.

Essex County Council would appreciate your views on these proposals.

Consultation start date: 29 January 2026

Consultation End Date: 19 February 2026

Consultation 2.

These consultations have closed.

Proposed changes to service 305

Consultation start date: 13 February 2026

Consultation end date: 19 February 2026

Due to the separate proposal to keep service 305 ( as above ), but withdraw connecting services 315 / 325, if the outcome of that ongoing consultation were to be such a withdrawal then ECC's intention is to redesign service 305 to improve its value for money.

You can view the proposed timetables here, Current timetable (Option 1) and proposed timetable (Option 2) to have your say please complete the online consultation.

Proposed changes to service 319

Consultation start date: 11 February 2026

Consultation end date: 19 February 2026

Due to the separate proposal to keep service 319 ( as above ), but withdraw connecting services 59 / 590 / 320 / 321, if the outcome of that ongoing consultation were to be such a withdrawal then ECC's intention is to redesign service 319 to improve its value for money.

You can view the proposed timetables here, Current timetable (Option 1) and proposed timetable (Option 2) to have your say please complete the online consultation.

Supported bus services in Essex

Essex County Council is a significant investor in local bus services which support safer, greener and healthier alternatives to the car but only around 15% of the services in Essex are supported by the tax payer – the remaining are commercially operated.

Whilst passenger numbers dropped significantly during the pandemic, it remains that good bus networks help people live all aspects of their lives, support the renewal of the local economy, jobs, the environment and communities by enabling people to access a wide range of services.  Bus services support equality, as they disproportionately support the travel of those on lower incomes, women, older and younger people and people with a disability.  This includes supporting access to jobs, education, training, healthcare and leisure.

To see if your service is supported by Essex Council County please download the document here.

The Traffic Commissioner is responsible for the licensing and regulation of bus operators. Most bus services in Essex are operated by commercial transport providers without subsidy from Essex County Council. These services operate on a ‘commercial basis and may be operated by small, family-run businesses or big multi-national companies.

If you need to contact your Transport Provider you can find all there details on this page.