COMMUTERS can expect to see changes to their bus services as Firstbus Essex plan to make alterations.

Coming on Sunday, April 17, changes will affect services in Basildon and south Essex.

Firstbus Essex say the changes are "in response to the change in our travel habits" with people travelling less often and being unsure about work timetables.

A First Spokesman said: "These changes are designed to deliver sustainable networks, that are easier to use and continue to provide the ability to travel around the towns and villages across the county on our services.

Some buses will run earlier and later in the day, some more often, some less often and there will be new networks in the Basildon, Chelmsford and Colchester areas.

"Buses that connect the local suburbs to the centre of Basildon, Chelmsford and Colchester will be replaced by locally focussed services with simple, regular timetables, simple, easy to use fares starting at £2.50 for an adult and with new, newer, or fully refurbished vehicles being introduced over the coming months with a new red based colour scheme.

"We have already simplified the fares in Chelmsford and Colchester and from the same date we will be bringing the same flexible way to pay, for bus travel, by introducing Tap&Cap to Basildon.

"Unfortunately, we are having to increase a small number of ticket prices in South Essex. However, we are not increasing any other fares at this time in recognition of the fact we are all paying more for daily essentials."

Changes to the bus network in Basildon will see routes connecting the town centre with Pitsea and Laindon replaced with a shuttle bus network.

This network will operate with self-charging hybrid vehicles to reduce emissions in the town centre.

Changes will be made to the B1, B2, B3, B4 and B5 services.

Route B1 will run between Laindon, Fenton Way and Basildon via Durham Road, Laindon Station and Great Knightley.

Route B2 will again run from Laindon, Fenton Way and Basildon but will use the King Edward Drive leg of routes to get to Laindon Station.

From here, it will replace route 5 to Langdon Hills then run via Staneway to The Knares and along The Knares replacing route 5 to Basildon.

Route B3 will start at Pitsea Tesco and run via London Road to Pitsea Broadway where it will replace routes 5/5A/5B to Basildon.

Route B4 will also start at Pitsea Tesco and run via London Road to Pitsea Broadway where it will replace 8 to Basildon via Wickford Avenue.

Route B5 will start from Pitsea Broadway westbound and run via Sandon Road and Luncies Road to Basildon as route 8A currently does. When arriving at Pitsea; B5 buses will terminate at Pitsea Broadway eastbound.

As a result of the introduction of these services, routes 5/5A/5B and 8/8A will be withdrawn.

Further changes are being made to route nine Basildon to Brentwood, route 16 Wickford to Runwell, route 20 Hullbridge to Southend, route 21 Canvey Island to Southend, route 22 Canvey Island to Basildon, route 25 Basildon to Southend, route 26, route 27 Canvey Island to Southend, route 27X, route 28 Basildon to Southend, route 100 between Basildon and Chelmsford and route 200.

To find out more, visit the Firstbus Essex webiste