Service 3: Chelmsford and Southend-on-Sea

First Essex operates the 3 bus service which travels between Chelmsford and Southend-on-Sea; a convenient route for students travelling to and from school in Chelmsford.

The service operates, at school opening and closure times, Monday to Friday. The current 3 timetable can be found here

Tickets:

We offer a selection of ticket options to choose from which are calculated in-line with the school calendar year (and school opening and closure times). The price of this service can be discounted with the purchase of bulk travel.

Work out which ticket you need:

  • Southend-on-Sea/Leigh-on-Sea/Hadleigh/Daws Heath to Chelmsford Schools
  • Battlesbridge/Rettendon to Chelmsford Schools
  • East Hanningfield/Howe Green to Chelmsford Schools
  • Rettendon/Battlesbridge to The Sweyne Park School

We have you covered for the academic year 2025/2026:

Autumn Term: 1st September 2025 to 19th December 2025 

Spring Term: 5th January 2026 to 27th March 2026

Summer Term: 13th April 2026 to 20th July 2026 

  • All tickets exclude travel during school half-term breaks and school holidays. 
  • To view the full First Bus Conditions of Travel, please visit: Conditions of travel | First Bus

Where to buy:

Select and purchase your ticket via our website.

Your ticket is now issued as a travel card (utilising smart card technology). For all your travel card FAQS, please visit: www.firstbus.co.uk/essex/smart

The ticket will be pre-loaded, on the travel card, and dispatched in the next available post (1st class delivery).

BUY TICKET