81, 82, 265, 498 new timetables live / First changes this weekend

Ensign Bus have finally got the details of the new timetable on the 81 and new route 82, which started today, on their website.

Just a quick reminder that First 265 to Lakeside and TfL 498 to Romford started new timetables this Saturday just gone. The 265 now goes via Grays and the 498 now extends all the way to Queens Hospital. Timetable links are in the post below.

The big changes to most First routes happen this coming Sunday. Full details in the post below. To make it easier to understand how Brentwood's buses will look after the change, here is a doctored version of Essex County Council's town map showing only those routes that will run at least hourly Mon-Sat daytimes from Tuesday 7th May:

And here is the same map showing only those routes that now run on Sundays:

BCT 228 has been left off because it won't run after the end of May.

The wonders of Warley

With changes to many First routes coming up on 5th May, many Warley residents had been worried about the planned withdrawal of routes 73A and 73B. From that date, First will be running just the 9 along the current 73 route, with only Mon-Sat evening services still being numbered 73:

The cut to the 73A will affect the following stops apart from Albert Street, which will be served by First 9 (the daytime replacement for the 73) and SM Coaches 21:

The rest of this part of the route is currently served on weekdays only by the 73A and on Saturdays by Stephensons 71 and 72. These are the current times from Uplands Road:

Brentwood Liberal Democrats today announced that the 71 and 72 will be diverted on weekdays to serve the areas that would have been stranded by the cutting of the 73A and 73B. Stephensons have already released the new timetables for the 71 and 72, which take effect from 7th May.

Talking of the 73B, here are the stops affected on the other side of Warley Hill:

and the current level of service from Warley Hill towards Brentwood:

The main First route through Warley, along Warley Hill and The Drive remains unchanged, apart from a Mon-Sat daytime route number switch from 73 to 9 and of course the accompanying timetable changes. SM Coaches 21 uses the same route and remains unchanged.

The Warley extensions to First 351 will be cut to just one bus each evening Mon-Sats.

All of the above changes are from Sunday 5th May.

The First 251 Sunday service (on which you can travel to Southend for just £2.80 return - ask for a Sunday Saver ticket!) is unchanged, but Sunday riders should take note that Brentwood Community Transport 228 will no longer run after 26th May.

First changes: New timetables out

First have released the new timetables for those of their services that are changing from Sunday 5th May. Full details of all changes to their services across South Essex can be found here. Here's a summary of what affects Brentwood:

73/73A/73B Warley-Brentwood-Pilgrims Hatch: The daytime service is curtailed to run between Brentwood Railway Station and Pilgrims Hatch only. The 73A and 73B are withdrawn. Evening services will still serve Warley. Sunday services are introduced. New timetable here.

351 Brentwood-Chelmsford: The daytime frequency is doubled to every half hour. New timetable here.

551 Brentwood-Basildon: Renumbered 9 with some timetable changes. Extended beyond Brentwood Railway Station to Warley, representing a cut in service on that part of route compared to the current 73 service. Short rush hour journeys to Shenfield are rerouted and renumbered 9A. New timetable here.

From Saturday 27th April, there are changes to the 265 to Lakeside and TfL 498 to Romford, which is extended to Queens Hospital and will run every 20 minutes Mon-Sat daytimes. Timetables here.

Apart from the changes on First, many changes are coming up on other bus companies in our area. A quick list is in the right hand column.

Shame on Ensign Bus, who are changing the 81 and introducing the 82 before First's changes, but haven't yet published the official new timetable on their website. Luckily Brentwood Bus and Rail Users Association have got hold of the new timetables: 81, 82.