Love Your Bus Grant Fund Information Hub

About the Grant

The ‘Love Your Bus’ funding initiative enables Parish and Town Councils in Essex to bid for funding to support and grow their local bus route. It is part of the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) that Essex is committed to delivering. The fund is designed to support community led action to enable the growth of key local bus services

This initiative will help deliver the following Strategic Priorities in the Council’s Organisation Strategy:

• Enable more vulnerable adults to live independent of social care

• Improve the health of people in Essex

• Help to secure stronger, safer, and more neighbourly communities

• Help to secure sustainable development and protect the environment

Purpose of the Fund

The Love Your Bus Grant Fund enables Parish and Town Councils to invest in revenue-based measures that increase bus patronage and improve local services.

Projects are designed to reflect local needs and deliver targeted, community-led improvements.

What Can Be Funded

A wide range of initiatives can be supported, including:

Service Enhancements

• Increased frequency

• New early morning or late evening services

• Route extensions to connect underserved areas

Community Engagement and Promotion

• Local marketing campaigns

• Community events

• Partnerships with schools and local groups

Passenger Experience Improvements

• Clearer and more accessible passenger information

• Accessibility initiatives (e.g. bus buddy schemes)

• Passenger feedback and engagement tools

Incentive Programmes

• Targeted fare offers and loyalty schemes

• Partnerships with local businesses

• Seasonal or themed services

• Social media campaigns

Project Aims

The Love Your Bus Grant Fund aims to:

• Support community-led initiatives to grow and sustain local bus routes

• Strengthen partnerships between communities and transport providers

• Deliver locally tailored solutions that reflect community needs

• Encourage innovation to increase bus use across Essex

Key Details

• Maximum award: £50,000 per project

• Up to 3 applications per Parish/Town Council

• Joint applications encouraged for wider service areas

Programme Growth and Impact

The Love Your Bus programme has seen significant growth between Round 1 and Round 2.

Round 1 (2024/25)

• 8 projects awarded

• £218,062 total funding

This initial phase established a strong foundation, demonstrating the value of community-led approaches and helping to shape the development of the programme.

Full list of projects awarded in round 1

Round 2 (2025/26)

• 23 projects awarded

• £895,160 total funding

This represents a significant increase in both demand and scale, with:

• More innovative proposals

• Increased collaboration between councils

• Stronger alignment with local transport priorities

  Full list of projects awarded in round 2

Explore the Programme

Use the links below to:

• View project outcomes from previous funding rounds

• Learn how the scheme works

• Explore funded projects across Essex