Essex Secures £68m Boost to Future-Proof Bus Network

Essex County Council has secured more than £68 million in government funding to strengthen and modernise bus services across the county.

The investment is intended to improve service reliability, enhance local connectivity and make bus travel a more attractive option for residents. It forms part of the Government’s new consolidated bus funding framework, which brings together Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding and the Local Authority Bus Service Operator Grant (LA BSOG).

Under the arrangement, Essex will receive £10.78 million per year between 2026/27 and 2028/29, providing a total of £32.33 million in revenue funding. In addition, the council will benefit from £36.26 million in capital funding between 2026 and 2030 through the Local Authority Bus Grant.

The authority currently supports around 15 per cent of local bus services that are not commercially viable but are considered essential for communities that rely on public transport.

Councillor Tom Cunningham, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and sustainable transport, said the funding provides much-needed certainty for long-term planning.

“This gives us the confidence to take a more strategic approach to bus services in Essex,” he said. “It allows us to focus on what residents tell us matters most – dependable services, stronger connections and journeys that support everyday life.

“The funding also gives us scope to embrace digital innovation, making travel easier and more seamless, while helping us deliver a more inclusive and accessible bus network for communities across the county.”