A SOUTHEND loop bus service would transform public transport in the borough, it has been claimed.

Southend Tories revealed their five-point transport plan in yesterday’s Echo which included “the loop”.

It is believed the service would be on a set route across the entire town, linking key services including the hospital and airport and the seafront and town centre.

Transport councillor Kevin Buck says it may link to the airport and allow families, from as far out as Shoebury, to travel on one bus to get there.

Stephen Knightley, of the Southend Bus User Group, likes the idea, but says more details are needed.

No official route has been pitched, and a public consultation would have to take place.

Mr Knightley said: “We would be quite supportive of it as a concept. It is quite right to say we have a number of bus routes going east to west and vice versa, but not going north to south.

“We would definitely support the idea, but it raises a few questions, like, are the bus companies on board? Buses run on a commercial basis so decisions are made on potential return. We are definitely supportive of the initiative, but what about the viability? Who will pay for it? Who will run the service?”

Shoebury resident Maggie Sims, 63, said: “I would definitely get behind it. There are a lot of buses, but not necessarily where I am going. If you’re heading up to the airport, or over to Priory Park, you end up on a couple of different buses, which is not ideal.”

Mr Buck added: “The concept of a Southend Loop bus service is not new.

“What Southend has is a huge amount of bus users and bus routes, and we are well-connected east to west, but we suffer travelling north to south.

“With areas of Southend growing, the bus routes need to be updated to include the whole of Southend. If you live in Shoebury, getting a bus to the airport is quite a journey, because there is no single route.

“It has been talked about for years, but in my new position I think it is time to make it a reality.”