FIRST Essex
FIRST are planning to make DRAMTIC changes to Services to their network in Southend, Shoeburyness & Leigh.
SABUG have requested consultation with First to raise our concerns regarding these planned proposals, but we have not received any communication from First. We have also made contact with both our local MP's regarding these proposals and we hope that they can intervene at a higher level. SABUIG is aware that Southend City and Rochford Town Councils have had meetings with Regional Directors and Managers at First Essex but these meetings have only achieved small amendments. SABUG know that these proposed changes will have a huge impact for bus passengers. Although these changes are still subject to the Traffic Commissioners approval the changes shown below are planned to take place on Sunday 31st May: -
Service 3A
Service to be withdrawn (MERGED WITH the rerouted 26 and it appears Carlton Avenue will no longer be served).
Service 20
The current day time route from Hullbridge to Southend via Eastwood is to be withdrawn.
First are planning to replace the Hullbridge - Rayleigh with Service 27
While the Rayleigh to Southend route is to be part of Service 25
First Bus, have agreed to allow a purchase of a single ticket at Hullbridge that may be used for the onward journey towards Southend.
Service 20S
These Hullbridge – Eastwood – Southend morning and evening services to/from Southend will remain (The 20S is a school time journey one in each direction so assume when school holidays are on this journey will not run) ( The three evening journeys I assume will be numbered 20 and follow the current 20 route).
Service 21
There will be a change to this route outside Southend.( Additional Post the service will be withdrawn between the Travel Centre and Thorpe Hall Avenue). (Sunday Service with support from SCC will run every 60mins rather than 90 minutes between Leigh Station – Hospital and Travel Centre).
This service l no longer run through Thundersley (Manor Road) but directly down the A13 to Tarpots Corner.
Service 21S
This school service remains unchanged.
Service 25
This service take over the Route from Rayleigh Travellers Joy to Southend with an increase the frequency to every 13 / 15 minute Mondays to Saturdays. Sundays, every 20 minutes. This means, Hatfield Road estate, Grove Road estate and Bridgwater Drive will have a more frequent bus service than now.
This service will no longer run along the full length of Eastwood Road and Prince Avenue/Southbourne Grove
Service 26
This Service will be re-routed
Service 3A will now be merged with Service 26 route
This Service will no longer serve Woodgrange Drive.
and extended from Leigh, past the Station & Thames Drive up to Hadleigh Bus Depot.
The new route will be Shoeburyness East Beach - Cambridge Town - Delaware Road -Maplin Way North -Bournes Green - Southchurch Road (full length) -Travel Centre - Victoria Avenue -Hospital - Blenheim Chase - Eastwood Road - Leigh Elms -Leigh Town Centre & Station - Thames Drive - Hadleigh Bus Garage.
Hourly, Mondays to Saturdays during the day.(May wish to add this will create two buses an hour between Hadleigh - West Leigh – Leigh Town Centre – Hospital - Southend when linked to the 21.)
Service 27
This service will be re-routed. It will no longer travel from Canvey to Southend via Hadleigh. Instead, the new route will be from Canvey to Hullbridge via Hadleigh & Rayleigh. The same frequency as now, every 20 minutes for the whole route.
(May wish to add passengers to and from Hullbridge travelling to and from Southend would now need to change at Rayleigh station for the 25 and X30 as the new 27 Route will not serve Rayleigh High Street and Websters Way but will stop at the new created stop near Iceland (towards Hadleigh and outside the Library towards Hullbridge). In addition at this stage we do not know what route the 27 will take from Rayleigh towards Hadleigh ie via Thundersley (as per the 1) or direct to Victoria House roundabout and if so is there an intention to loop round Hadleigh Town Centre ? As a result this means the only direct service from Canvey to Southend is now the 21.
Service 28
This service is planned to have a High Frequency Timetable with later journeys.
Service 625
There are no plans to change this route, but there may be a slight change to the running times, but there are no details forthcoming at present.
Service 825
There are no plans to change this route, but there may be a slight change to the running times, but there are no details forthcoming at present.
Service X30
As previously advised as of April 12th, this Service does not serve Manners Way, Southend Airport nor Eastwoodberry Cresent. This now serves the front of Southend Hospital,
This Service will now call at ALL stops from Rayleigh Station to Southend Hospital, along Eastwood Road, Prince Avenue and Southbourne Grove.
On addition the following EARLY HOURS services on the X30 will run into and stop next to the London Southend Airport Terminal - the 03:55 and 04:55 from Chelmsford to Southend. There is to be a return journey from Southend at 23:00 which will call in on its way to Chelmsford at 23:09 - This is to be a daily change to the X30 and will also give access for workers and travellers to the front door of the Airport from Rayleigh and Eastwood. The X30 will accept First Metro tickets from 31st May and negotiations are ongoing to see if Octopus Tickets may also be accepted.
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Southend City Council
Disabled Concessionary Bus Pass Reminder
As from 1st April Disabled Concessionary Pass holders will be able to board buses from 6 am. This is a full three hours earlier than the previous restrictions allowed. This applies to passes with an orange stripe on the bus pass only.
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Southend City Council
New Bus Service Proposal
The City Councill is looking to introduce a new bus service. This service would depart Southend Travel Centre, then travel along Central Avenue through to Hamstel Road and then go towards the cemetery/crematorium and finish at Southend Airport.
Please can you show your support for this proposed new bus service, by sending an e-mail or a letter endorsing the new service and if and how you would be using it.
cllrpaulcollins@southend.gov.uk
Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea. SS2 6ER
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Southend City Council
Octopus Tickets Prices as from 29th April.
Southend - Octopus Tickets
With an Octopus Southend ticket you can travel on any local bus service in the Southend, Rochford and Castle Point districts, whether it's provided by Arriva, First, Stephenson’s or NIBS.
That's an area bounded by the River Crouch in the north, the coast to the east and the south and at Sadlers Farm Roundabout and Carpenter's Arms in the west.
Buy your Octopus tickets from driver when you get on a bus
Daily Adult: £7.00 Child £5.20
Week: Adult £28.00 Child £21.00
4 Week: Adult £84.00 Child £63.00
Octopus tickets are valid on any local bus journey starting and finishing in the area stated on the pass, until midnight on the date of expiry. Any misuse of this pass will result in the ticket being withdrawn and may lead to prosecution. All tickets are issued subject to conditions of carriage, available at company offices.
Octopus tickets are not accepted on Stephenson’s bus services 500-599, 725, 800-899 or X30.
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Ensign Bus
Open Top route 99 return confirmed for later this year.
Buses will operate every 30 minutes between
• Daily Sat 23rd May until Sun 31st May
• Daily Sat 18th July until Sun 6th September
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