More changes to school bus schedules announced by ECC

Following problems since alterations at the beginning of term, there are changes to school bus schedule starting Monday 17th October. The issues with the grossly overloaded 322 Old Harlow to JFA and SWCH remain unresolved, but in the meantime the afternoon 301 service will call earlier at JFA, which for those who can use it, will take the load off the 322. The 441 from Takeley will run earlier to improve punctuality and the 446 from Manuden is also being altered.

The ECC Councillor responsible for this Cllr Eddie Johnson, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, although copied on all correspondence, has remained silent, so I have spoken with the ECC officers and the bus company myself.

Essex County Council consulted last month about withdrawing the 322 entirely, for lack of use, at the same time as making changes which made it so full that students have been left behind.

I am told that the company who Essex contracted to run the 322 don’t have a larger bus available. There are also other serious service issues with the 322 which Essex say they are seeking to resolve.

Stephensons, who run the 301, 441 and 446, say notices detailing the schedules will be in the buses this week and on their website.

They are also available here:

stephensons-poster-441-00000002 stephensons-poster-446-00000002

stephensons-poster-301-00000002

If parents would like us to help follow up any problems with other schedules, please contact R4U. To be clear these are problems caused by Essex County Council and UDC is not involved.