£8.5m boost set to improve bus services for Southend passengers

December 9, 2025

£8.5 million confirmed for Southend bus services over the next three years

Provides long-term certainty to plan improvements across the network

Builds on recent progress such as the 23A/B Service from Leigh-on-Sea Railway Station to London Southend Airport and Airport Business Park route

The reintroduced 17/17A service to the Highlands Estate and extended late-night services

Southend-on-Sea is set to benefit from £8.5 million in dedicated bus funding over the next three years, helping to improve reliability, provide better connections, and support the city’s growing transport needs for passengers.

Southend-on-Sea City Council will receive:

2026/27 – £2,796,830

2027/28 – £2,833,477

2028/29 – £2,870,123

This multi-year allocation allows the council to plan improvements across the network with confidence. It also enables Southend to build on recent successes, including the new 23A/B bus service from Leigh-on-Sea Railway Station to London Southend Airport route and Airport Business Park and the extension of late-night bus services, which are already giving passengers more choice and flexibility when travelling.

The funding will complement ongoing work to make services more reliable and easier to use, helping more people access jobs, education, leisure, and essential services across the city.

Cllr Paul Collins, Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets and Public Transport, said: “This is very positive news for Southend. With the introduction of the Leigh Station to London Southend Airport service, improvements to local routes, and our recently extended late-night services, we’ve already started to make a real difference for passengers.

“We need to reduce the use of car journeys, by supporting new and enhanced bus services, and at the times when people need them.”

“This £8.5 million in confirmed, multi-year funding gives us the stability to continue that work, plan ahead, and keep improving the bus network for everyone who relies on it.”

The allocation forms part of a wider funding package for the East of England, designed to support local authorities in enhancing and maintaining their bus services.

For Southend, it represents a significant opportunity to continue strengthening public transport and ensure services remain accessible, sustainable, linked up and fit for the future.