THURROCK Council has awarded two local bus routes to the Amber Bus & Coach Company – the 11 and 374 – both serving local hospitals.
Despite increasing pressure on council funding and reductions in the grant to support local public transport, the council is supporting both services.
The move follows a full consultation with the Thurrock Bus User Group and the public.
Service 374 has nearly 100,000 passenger trips a year and links Grays, Chadwell, West Tilbury, East Tilbury, Linford, Orsett, Horndon, Stanford-le-Hope, Corringham, Fobbing and Basildon.
It also provides access to both Orsett and Basildon Hospitals and links with other bus services on the Thurrock network.
Service 11 has 40,000 passengers trips a year and serves Purfleet, Aveley Ockendon, North Stifford, Stifford Clays, Chadwell, Orsett and Basildon.
Funded through Thurrock Council’s Health Fund, the 11 route also provides access to three hospitals – Thurrock Community Hospital in Long Lane Stifford Clays, Orsett and Basildon – as well as 11 health centres.
The 11 route also links to other bus services in Thurrock.
The agreement with the company secures the routes – on a 90 minute frequency during the day – for a year from Tuesday (1 April).
