EVENING and rural bus services face the axe depending on the outcome of a public consultation launched this week.

In a bid to reinvent services, Essex County Council has opened a three-month consultation to assess how important evening and Sunday bus services are and for residents' views on proposed changes.

As passenger numbers fall below "six per journey" in some areas, the council has decided to revisit its subsidised services after 10pm.

A total of 10 routes servicing Colchester could be affected.

Essex cabinet member for education, councillor Ray Gooding, said: “We have a strong record of supporting local bus services, particularly in comparison with other local transport authorities who have significantly reduced the level of support that they offer.

“At present we spend around £9 million of taxpayers' money on these services each year. However, with the number of passengers in some cases falling below six per journey, coupled with the strong financial pressure on all local government funding, means we have to look very carefully at how we provide our services to ensure the limited funding available is focused where it will do most good.

“We know buses are important to many people. The consultation is the opportunity to have your say on our proposals.

"It’s imperative if you have any comments or concerns to include these within the consultation, all of which we will consider.”

About 85 per cent of the county's bus network is run commercially. This includes most of the daytime and peak period services in and between towns.

What is being reviewed is the remaining 15 per cent - non-commercial supported services which mainly operate in rural areas and at less popular times.

Part of the consultation includes giving communities and councillors the opportunity, and funding, to commission bus services in their area.

The council says the aim is to develop the right type of services to meet the travel needs of residents and visitors which includes smaller vehicles, demand responsive transport and taxi-buses.

The consultation continues until March 22 2019 and can be accessed at essex.gov.uk/local-bus-consultation.

Paper versions can be collected from all libraries and on request.

Complete the consultation over the phone by calling 03457 430 430 or emailing passenger.transport@essex.gov.uk.

The following routes are under review:

  • 1A - Ambrose Avenue - Greenstead
  • 2A - Highwoods - Great Horkesley
  • 64/64A - Greenstead - St Michael's Estate - Shrub End - Layer-de-la-Haye
  • 66 - Colchester North - Rowhedge
  • 66B - West Bergholt - Colchester - Old Heath
  • 68 - Highwoods - West Mersea
  • 71A - Chelmsford - Colchester
  • 74B - Clacton - Colchester
  • 88 - Colchester - Halstead
  • 102 - Colchester - Harwich