Bus Service Consultation on ECC funded bus service 381

Introduction

Service 381 operates Monday to Saturdays with financial support from Essex County Council (ECC). ECC considered amending the Monday – Friday timetable and carried out a public consultation regarding this proposal for 6 weeks between 16 October 2018 and 26 November 2018

Due to low passenger numbers in the early morning and late afternoon period, ECC looked at ways to increase patronage on the 381 service and proposed to make the changes below.

The service to start at 6:55 from Coopersale to Epping Station with another run at 07:25, the timetable will then resume the current operation from Coopersale to Harlow from 7:55. The last two journeys of the day will operate between Epping Station - Coopersale at 18:05 and 18:30.

The consultation therefore put forward the following question: Would you like to see the service revert to its previous route?

Key conclusions

Respondent themed responses said they did not want to see services change and a number of respondents stated the withdrawal would affect them, there routine and community.

Summary

On the basis of the outcome of the consultation, it was agreed to take no action at this time.

Final Decision

As the comments from the survey were not conclusive, Essex County Council has decided to take no action following the consultation. The running of the service will be monitored further and Officers propose to meet with Local Parish Councils over the coming months to see how the current service can be improved for local residents.