Bus and train information

Three bus companies run the bus services in Southend.

These are:

They operate the bus network in Southend through an Enhanced Partnership with the Council. The partnership's focus is on a continuous process of improvement in bus services. This is all dictated by the Southend Bus Service Improvement Plan.

You can contact the bus companies for full information on:

  • routes
  • fares and tickets
  • access for disabled users
  • service disruptions

To contact them visit their websites.

Bus apps

Through the Enhanced Partnership, we have also established a Southend Bus Passenger Charter. This aims to enhance the bus experience for everyone in the city.

Southend open-top bus service

Southend also has a seasonal open top bus service. This runs along our city's magnificent seafront.

The open top bus service is not part of the Enhanced Partnership. However, the operator of the open top bus service has signed up to the Southend Bus Passenger Charter. As a result, this applies in the same way as for any other bus service in the city.

A map showing all bus services in Southend can be found on the Travel Essex website.

Train companies

Multi-operator journey planning

Fares and passes

£3 Fare – March 2027

The £3 single journey bus fare cap (funded by UK Government), runs until the end of March 2027. This generally applies to bus services in Southend. It does not apply to:

  • the Southend open-top bus services
  • bus services intended primarily for schoolchildren and students

Octopus ticket

The Octopus ticket enables travel on nearly every local bus service in Southend, as well as across the Castle Point and Rochford districts of Essex. It is available for daily, weekly and 4-weekly periods. These Tickets can be purchased on board Southend Services. Full details are on the Travel Essex website.

First, Arriva and Stephenson’s also sell daily all-service tickets covering their own services only. In some cases, these bus tickets are available for longer periods as well.

Visit our bus passes pages to apply for a:

  • Older Person's bus pass
  • Disabled Person's bus pass – from April 2026, this pass can now be used from between 6AM – Midnight, Monday to Friday & all day weekend and Bank Holidays

Cheaper fares for trains

If you travel regularly, you may be able to reduce the cost by using a Railcard.

  • types of Railcards available
  • Disabled Persons Railcards
  • 16-25 Railcards
  • Family and Friends Railcards
  • Senior Railcard
  • Network Card

Further information on Railcards can be found on the National Railcards website.

Southend-on-Sea City Council is not part of the Senior Railcard subsidy and does not have promotional codes.

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