Residents across Essex are set to benefit from a major investment in local bus networks after the county council successfully secured more than £68 million in government funding.
A Long-Term Funding Package
The comprehensive funding package is designed to support and enhance bus services throughout Essex in the coming years. It combines two key revenue and capital streams from the government's new consolidated bus funding framework.
From the 2026/27 financial year through to 2028/29, Essex will receive £10,778,248 annually in revenue funding via the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) and the Local Authority Bus Service Operator Grant (LA BSOG). This provides a total of £32,334,744 over the three-year period.
In addition, the council has been allocated £36.26 million in capital funding from the Local Authority Bus Grant, which will be available between 2026 and 2030. This capital investment is intended for longer-term infrastructure and improvement projects.
Focus on Reliability and Community Needs
The primary goal of the funding is to make bus travel a more attractive and viable option for Essex residents. Key initiatives will focus on improving the reliability of services, strengthening local connections between towns and villages, and ensuring the network remains responsive to community needs.
Currently, Essex County Council subsidises approximately 15% of the county's bus services. These are routes where no commercial operator runs a service, but where a clear need exists to keep residents connected to essential amenities, employment, and education.
Councillor Tom Cunningham, the cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and sustainable transport, welcomed the announcement. He stated that the funding provides the certainty needed for long-term planning.
"It enables us to focus on what matters most to residents, reliable journeys, better connections and services that support everyday life, while embracing digital innovation to make travel simpler and more seamless," said Cllr Cunningham. "This investment will help us build a stronger, more inclusive and accessible bus network, ensuring better travel experiences for all communities across the county."
Part of a National Transport Push
This substantial allocation for Essex follows the government's 2025 Spending Review, which confirmed that areas outside of London would receive more than £1 billion each year in long-term bus funding. This national initiative aims to provide both capital and revenue support to local transport authorities to revitalise bus networks across the UK.
The council now has a firm financial foundation to develop detailed plans for service improvements, potential route expansions, and the integration of new technology to provide real-time information and more seamless payment options for passengers.
