THE Ensign Bus compnay, which operates services across Thurrock, has announced a number of changes to services that will come into effect later this month.

The company, which is now owned by the First Bus group, says the adjustments 'aim to enhance connectivity across the area while maintaining vital transport links for passengers'.

From Tuesday 22nd April Service 200 – New Route and Extended Coverage First Essex's Service 200, which currently operates between Basildon, Stanford-le-Hope, Orsett, and Grays, will be running to an amended route and will no longer serve Orsett.

Instead, the service will follow its existing route between Basildon, Stanford-le-Hope, and the Orsett Cock roundabout, before heading south to Grays via Chadwell St Mary, Tilbury, and Little Thurrock.

This change replaces the existing Ensignbus route 66, which will no longer operate.

The revised Service 200 will operate hourly from Monday to Saturday, introducing new direct connections between Basildon, Tilbury, and Chadwell St Mary to better serve passengers in these communities.

To ensure continued public transport access for Orsett, two key service changes are being introduced:

• Ensignbus Service 88 will be rerouted in Stifford Clays and extended to serve Orsett, providing a regular link to Grays.

• First Essex Service 201, which currently runs between Basildon, Fobbing, and Stanford-le-Hope, will be extended to Orsett.

This service will operate four journeys per day in each direction on Monday to Friday, maintaining a transport link for residents east of Orsett.

Additionally, from Tuesday 22 April, there will be changes to timetables for Ensignbus routes 22, 44, 73, 83 & X80 to improve reliability.

Updated timetables will be available on the Ensignbus website soon.