📅 Date: Wednesday, 5 March 2025
Local community groups, bus operators, and transport advocates will come together to discuss the future of bus services in Southend at the Southend Local Bus Forum.
This forum is part of the Southend-on-Sea Enhanced Partnership, which follows the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) first introduced in October 2021. The BSIP was created in response to the UK government’s ‘Bus Back Better’ National Bus Strategy, aiming to improve bus services for long-term sustainability after the pandemic.
Now, the BSIP requires an update in line with government guidance, and the forum will play a key role in advising on strategic priorities.
Who is involved?
The Local Bus Forum includes representatives from:
- Southend-on-Sea City Council
- Neighboring councils
- Local bus operators (Arriva, First, and Stephensons)
- Southend Area Bus User Group
- Campaign for Better Transport and Bus Users UK
- Southend City BID
- Essex Police
- Youth Council
- Transport Focus
Public Participation
The meeting is open to the public, but questions and comments must be pre-submitted. Questions will not be accepted during the meeting.
📌 How to Submit a Question
Members of the public must email their questions or comments to:
📩 johnaustin@southend.gov.uk
⏳ Deadline: Friday, 14 March 2025, by 5:00 PM
The meeting agenda and reports pack will be available online one week before the event. Find it here:
🔗 Southend Local Bus Forum Meetings
Key Details of the Meeting
📅 Date: Monday, 18 March 2025
🕑 Time: 2:00 PM
📍 Location: Jubilee Room, Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6ER
Why This Matters
Councillor Paul Collins, Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets, and Investments, emphasized the forum’s significance:
“The Southend Local Bus Forum is an important opportunity for everyone to ask questions about our bus services, both as they are today and what we need for the future. Public transport plays a crucial role in the daily lives of our residents, connecting people to work, school, healthcare, and leisure activities.”
“By working together, we can ensure that buses in Southend are reliable, efficient, and meet the needs of all our residents. Our goal is to make bus travel an attractive, sustainable, and practical choice, reducing congestion and supporting our environmental commitments.”
Learn More
For details about the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), the Enhanced Partnership, and the Local Bus Forum, visit:
🔗 Southend Bus Service Improvement Plan and Enhanced Partnership