Arrow Taxis 12 bus route saved after companies closed

Arrow Taxis operated the number 12 bus route alongside Essex and Suffolk DaRT but announced the closure of the route, and other rural bus routes, on Saturday in a joint statement.

The reason for the closure was linked to falling passenger numbers since 2020 and spiralling costs.

The number 12 service took people from Arlington Way, in Billericay, towards Queens Park and the railway station, through Billericay High Street and then towards Wickford via Barleylands, Crays Hill and eventually ending at the Swan in Wickford.

The closure sparked concern from councillors, however in a late update yesterday evening, Essex County Council the route had been saved and taken on by Vectare.

The route will commence today but will operate with a reduce timetable until August 5.

A spokesperson for Essex County Council said: “Following the announcement that Arrow Taxis and Essex and Suffolk DaRT have ceased trading, Essex County Council has worked with other bus operators in the county to ensure the services affected are back up and running quickly.

“Travel will be free of charge on these services until they are registered, and we will update further when that is the case.

Billericay Tory councillor, Phil Turner, had called the closure “grim news.”

He said: “This is not a small concern, the fact they have gone bust is quite distressing and I have said before that you must use facilities or you will lose them if they aren’t being used.

“You see Arrow around quite frequently and you can hop on a train but not everyone wants to, with the fare for bus service being capped it becomes handy and convenient.

“This is a blow but I imagine the county council are trying to get that sorted and look at their options, it is depressing news and people using the service will be concerned they will be stuck with one alternative, the train.”

Arrow has been trading since 1985 from their premises in Maldon, where they have managed the routes they operate across Essex.