Service Frequency Improvements on First Essex Routes 27 and 28

From Sunday 16th April 2023, route 27 and 28 will run more frequently, with routes operating late into the evening along London Road, helping residents get to work, school or for leisure purposes.

Essex Bus Services

Route 27 Southend to Canvey Leigh Beck: 

Runs every 20 minutes                 Monday to Friday and Saturday Daytime

Runs every 30 minutes                 Monday to Saturday Evenings

Runs every 30 minutes &              Sundays

Hourly in the evening from Southend until 21:00. 

The new high frequency service 27 will use mostly double-deck buses.

Service 28 Southend to Basildon:

Runs every 10 minutes            Monday to Friday daytime

Runs every 12 minutes           Saturday daytime

Runs every 30 minutes           Monday to Saturday

(Evenings)           

Runs every 30 minutes           Sunday   

(daytime) 

Service 28 can only be operated by single-deck buses due to a low bridge in Pitsea.

Routes 27 and 28 follow the same route along the A13 from Southend for approximately 6 miles, heading west along the A13 London Road through parts of Westcliff, Chalkwell, Leigh, Hadleigh as far as the junction of Kents Hill Road in Benfleet, where the 27 turns of to go Canvey and the 28 heads towards Basildon.

Our Essex Bus services 27 and 28 will provide a combined 5 to 10 minutes frequency on Monday to Friday, up to 8 buses per hour on Saturday, and a bus every 15 minutes on a Sunday and in the evenings on Monday to Saturday along London Road.

These new timetables will significantly increase the service we offer to our customers and serve more customers including during peak times and late evenings service.

More info on other changes to these routes can be found here:

Ticket prices

Great news! Routes 27 and 28 are included in the Governments £2 Bus Fare Cap Scheme. This offer is valid until 30th June 2023. For more info, please visit: https://www.firstbus.co.uk/essex/plan-journey/busloads-love

We have also introduced a NEW Southend Metro Plus Ensignbus Route 68 ticket. Enjoy an unlimited same day travel across any First Essex Southend Metro network and open top bus route 68 seaside service.

All tickets are available to purchase via the First Bus App or from your driver using cash or contactless payment.

Journey Planning and latest travel updates:

You can plan your journey with the First Bus app or on our website by using the journey planning tool and get real-time service updates.

New timetable for revised routes 27 and 28 are listed below: