The changes came into force on Sunday (January 4)
Matt Lee Senior Multimedia Journalist
06:00, 05 Jan 2026
First Essex has rolled out timetable changes. File image(Image: Pete Stonier / Stoke Sentinel)
Bus operator First Essex has implemented several changes to more than a dozen bus routes. The company has made several changes to timetables in a bid to improve the punctuality of services.
Timetable changes came into force on Sunday (January 4) and affect 18 routes across the county. It impacts four services in north Essex, as well as seven in mid-Essex and seven in the south of the county.
The 51 and 52 services, which both serve Colchester Hospital, have had minor timetable changes. The 54, which runs between Greenstead and Osborne Street in Colchester, and the 104, between Stanwell Street in Colchester and Harwich bus station, are also impacted.
Minor timetable changes aimed at improving punctuality have also been implemented for the C1, C7, 31/331/332/333, 70/170, 71/X71/371/372, and 336 services. The 59 has been given an improved Sunday frequency, funded by Essex County Council, with buses running hourly throughout the day.
In South Essex, the B1, 22, 27 and 28 have had minor timetable changes to improve punctuality. The B5 has had its Monday to Friday afternoon timetable revised, with all journeys running the full length of the route between Basildon Bus Station, Janus House and Gardiners Lane North up to every 15 minutes. There are also minor changes to the 20 service, including one morning journey in each direction rerouted between Bridgwater Drive and Prittlewell Chase via Treecot Drive and Mountdale Gardens on schooldays.
First operates a network of over 70 bus services linking towns, cities and villages across Essex. The company is also responsible for some services elsewhere in the country, including Norfolk and Suffolk and other counties. All of the new changes, as well as the revised timetables, can be viewed on the First Essex website.