First Bus to simplify South Essex network from Sunday 31 May
- Creation of core high frequency travel corridors
- New 24-hour service from Southend to Basildon
- Early and late X30 trips to Southend Airport
- New connection to Southend Hospital
First Bus has announced it is adding more 24-hour services and simplifying travel into Southend and Basildon to improve reliability as part of wide-ranging changes across South Essex from Sunday 31 May.
Its 28 route between Southend and Basildon will become the second 24-hour service in the region. Frequency will be increased and hourly trips added from midnight until 4:00am. Later buses will also operate on Sunday evenings.
Service 20 Southend-Hullbridge changes
Trips between Southend and Hullbridge will be provided by a replacement to the existing 20 service which reflects the two distinct travel markets revealed by detailed analysis of passenger data.
Service 25 will operate the Southend-Rayleigh section with the frequency increased throughout the week. An amended 27 service will run between Rayleigh and Hullbridge with trips every 20 minutes on weekdays and 30 minutes at weekends. Service 20 will continue to operate late evening trips along the whole route.
The split means through journeys from Southend to Hullbridge can be made with a change of bus between frequent services at Rayleigh Station. A through-ticket is to be introduced to support travel by customers making the longest trips.
Julian Elliott, Head of Network for First Bus in the East of England, said: “We have conducted a thorough review to simplify and strengthen our South Essex network to better meet the travel habits of customers and help improve reliability and punctuality.
“Buses running around-the-clock on our 28 service from Southend to Basildon is further evidence of our commitment to invest in the network and provide journeys to support the nighttime economy, leisure and hospitality and shift workers.”
Connections to Southend Airport and Southend Hospital
Among other changes, early morning and late evening journeys will be restored on the X30 to Southend Airport, providing a connection at times when no other public transport is operating.
Service 26, which is funded by Southend City Council, will combine with the 3A to provide a single through-service between Hadleigh to Shoeburyness, creating a new connection to Southend Hospital.
Full details of the changes can be found on the First Bus website Service Changes from 31st May 2026 | First Bus
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