Plans are being drawn up to give councils more power to run bus services in a bid to improve the service – with county council bosses saying funding needs to be available.

On Monday (September 9) it was announced that transport secretary Louise Haigh was unveiling a package of measures to empower local leaders to take control of their bus services. 

Under the plans new legislation is being laid before Parliament which gives all councils across England new powers to run their own bus services – powers previously limited to mayoral combined authorities such as in London and Manchester. The Government says that the plans mean that local leaders across the country can deliver services in a way that suits the needs of their communities.

The government has also launched a consultation on new draft guidance to provide advice and support for local leaders looking to bring services into public control. This new, simplified guidance will help break down barriers to local control of bus services, speeding up the process and bringing down costs.

Tom Cunningham, cabinet member for Highways and Infrastructure at Essex County Council, said: "Essex County Council currently works in partnership with bus firms to improve the local bus network. Through this partnership, we strive to ensure residents have a quality bus service available to them.

 "We welcome any devolution of powers from central government to local councils but remain clear these powers need to backed by devolved funding too. We will now consider the detail of what has been announced.

There are a number of bus companies providing services across Essex including, Arriva Colchester, Ensignbus, First Essex, Go East Anglia, Hedingham and Chambers, Nibs Buses, Stephensons of Essex, 

In Essex, First operates a network of over 70 bus services linking towns and villages across the region and county.. Ensignbus runs 11 services across Essex, with most in Thurrock and a few in and around Southend. Stephensons of Essex runs around 50 bus services mostly in south Essex and covers areas including Rochford.

Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, said:  "Buses are the lifeblood of our communities, but for too many people it has become impossible to rely on local services, as routes have been slashed and timetables hollowed out. Today is the first stop on our journey to delivering better buses across the country. After decades of failed deregulation, local leaders will finally have the powers to provide services that deliver for passengers.

"And we are taking steps to support local leaders to deliver improved bus services faster and cheaper than ever before. With local communities firmly back in the driving seat, our bus revolution will save vital routes up and down the country and put passengers first."