This week, Rebecca has received an update from Essex County Council on her request to consider subsidising the original 21 route due to its social value, just like they do for other routes in the North of the County.

Her request followed the loss of the regular 21 route through Manor Road, Rushbottom Lane and Kents Hill Road North and the change in the frequency of services to Southend Hospital.

After hearing of the proposed changes, Rebecca wrote to Essex County Council asking them to look at whether support can be provided based on social need and community value. She has now received a response from the Council.

Rebecca explained that while the response she received explains that this was a commercial decision by First Bus, it doesn’t actually address her question. She has since written back asking for a direct answer.

Rebecca has also taken the opportunity to inform residents that she has written to First Bus asking them to urgently investigate concerns raised by residents from Kings Park that OAP bus pass holders were not always asked to tap their passes when boarding. If that’s true, passenger numbers may have been under-recorded, calling into question the decision to remove this section of the route.

Rebecca has asked First Bus to investigate and formally review how much it would have affected the figures for their decision.

She will keep residents updated once she has received further responses.