The Dengie Hundred Bus Users Group (DHBUG) will meet with councillors and bus operators tomorrow (November 1) at 1pm in the Burnham Town Council Chamber.  

Representatives from First Bus and local county, district and town councils will be there to discuss transport users' issues and concerns. Non-members are welcome to attend but cannot vote, if a vote is held. 

DHBUG Chair Allan Brignall told Nub News: "We are at a turning point for bus travel in the Dengie and now is the time to input passenger ideas to influence the direction taken in the future.  

"There is a large amount of activity looking into the future of bus transport ranging to the initiative 'Bus Back Better', to grow the bus services and ECC are looking into cutting financial support to non-commercial when these initiatives end in 2026." 

First Bus services 31/331/332 are the main ones for the Dengie linking Burnham, Maldon and Chelmsford. Concerns continue to be raised about missing and late buses. A new timetable started on September 3, but delays have continued. 

DHBUG says this will be a "major topic" to take up with First.  

"It is noted in the 2023 First Group Annual Report punctuality is no longer used as a key performance indicator for the bus group and has been replaced by the percentage of mileage completed," Mr Brigall said.  

"It is also interesting to note First Group Bus division got 18 per cent of its income from the bus operation which generated 32 per cent of its profits and its intention is to increase profits further." 

Bus driver shortages remain as an after-effect of the pandemic and, as the winter season approaches, DHBUG says sickness days are likely to mean increased driver shortage.  

"How this affects bus services needs to be controlled to avoid undue shortages for infrequent rural services," Mr Brignall added. 

Last month, the Maldon & Heybridge Transport & Bus Users Group held its inaugural meeting at Maldon Town Hall.

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