Local community groups, bus operators, and transport advocates are coming together to discuss the next steps in improving bus services in Southend.
The forum was set up as part of the Southend-on-Sea Enhanced Partnership, following on from the council's Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), which was originally put into place in October 2021.
The BSIP was produced in response to the government's 'Bus Back Better' National Bus Strategy to put bus services across England on a sustainable long-term footing following the global pandemic. Following a recent review of the BSIP, the forum's role now is to advise the Local Bus Board on the priorities for improving the bus network that it should consider for 2025.
The Local Bus Forum includes representatives from Southend-on-Sea City Council, adjoining councils, the three local bus operators (Arriva, First and Stephensons), Southend Area Bus User Group, Campaign for Better Transport, Bus Users UK, Southend City BID, Essex Police, Youth Council and Transport Focus.
It is a meeting in public and members of the public are being invited to ask pre-submitted questions and comments to the forum about the items on the meeting's agenda, questions asked at the meeting will not be accepted. The agenda will be published on the council's website later next week, along with details of how to submit questions and comments in advance.
Councillor Paul Collins, cabinet member for finance, assets and investments, said: "The Southend Local Bus Forum is an important opportunity for everyone to ask questions about our bus services, as they are today and what we need for the future. We know that public transport plays a crucial role in the daily lives of our residents, connecting people to work, school, healthcare, and leisure activities. That's why it's essential to work collaboratively to address challenges and identify solutions that improve accessibility, reliability, and overall service quality.
"By working together, we can make sure that buses in Southend are reliable, efficient, and meet the needs of all our residents. Our goal is to ensure that bus travel remains an attractive, sustainable, and practical choice for everyone, reducing congestion and supporting our environmental commitments."
The meeting of the Southend Local Bus Forum will take place on Tuesday 18 March 2025, at 2pm in the Jubilee Room at Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6ER
How to ask questions at the meeting
Members of the public who wish to ask a question or make a comment must register by sending an email with the question or comment to the Secretary of the Southend Local Bus Forum at JohnAustin@southend.gov.uk by 5.00pm no later than Friday 14 March 2025.
For full details of the process for doing this and to view the meeting agenda and reports pack that will be published online a week before the meeting please see our democracy website.
To learn more about the Bus Service Improvement Plan, see our Enhanced Partnership, and the Local Bus Forum page.