Southend's famous open top buses could be heading for the end of the line, it was feared today.
The service - the last of its kind in Essex - may be taking visitors along the seafront for the final time this summer after Southend Council withdrew a vital subsidy.
Rochford based firm, Stephensons of Essex, revealed the route from Shoebury to Leigh would be operated for the first time this year as a commercial service after the loss of the £6,000 grant.
The service starts again on Saturday at weekends only until the school summer holidays, when it will increase to a daily basis. Stephensons' finance director Lyn Watson said: "It has to operate commercially. We will need to see good passenger loading otherwise it could be the last season ever for the service."
A council spokesman said "It was clear last year we were going to stop subsidising the route."
Published Tuesday, July 1, 2003
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