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Residents are being urged to share their views on the future of 162 local bus services across Essex.
A new consultation will explore how to make the bus network fit for the future.
Residents can share their views online until Thursday 5 October.
Physical copies of the consultation are available by contacting the Passenger Transport team
- Email passenger.transport@essex.gov.uk
- Call 0345 743 0430
A small number of bus services in Essex are subsidised by us as commercial bus operators will not run them. The consultation is about these non-commercial services, which generally run in rural areas and at less busy times.
Ensuring future routes are viable
Since the pandemic, the amount of people using buses has declined. We need to ensure future routes are viable financially and are meeting the new demand. It will also look at how to ensure it provides value for money for taxpayers.
As part of the consultation, 162 services across three groups are being consulted on:
- the vast majority where no change is proposed until at least 2028
- a group which will be supported until at least 2026, but where passenger numbers need to increase
- a low use group which are not currently meeting the needs of communities
Shaping the future of our local bus services
Cllr Nigel Bedford, Place Portfolio Holder said:
It is crucial for our residents to have their say in shaping the future of our local bus services across the district and wider Essex.
Through this consultation, we are urging all residents to share their views and to contribute to making the bus network fit for the future and ensure that it meets the needs of our communities.
Helping Essex County Council to improve public transport services within the district will contribute towards Epping Forest District Council’s aspirations to reduce its carbon footprint, feeding into its Climate Change Action Plan.
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