A NEW coach service between Basildon and Stansted Airport is set to be launched next month.

Bus operating company, First, has announced plans to launch a new express coach service taking passengers from Basildon to Stansted, via Wickford and Chelmsford, from May 3.

The new X40 coach will run every two hours, seven days a week. The first coach will leave Basildon bus station at 3.45am, and the last will leave Stansted at 11.30pm.

First bosses have said the new service will save holidaymakers money as it will be cheaper to travel on the X40 than drive to the airport and use the car park.

Passengers will have to pay £18.50 for an adult return, or £12.50 for a single ticket, while seven days parking in the airport car park adds up to £63. Typical journey times between Basildon and Stansted will be one hour and 10 minutes. The journey between Stansted and Wickford is set to take an hour.

Iris Pummell, Essex county councillor for Wickford Crouch, said: “I am delighted the people of Wickford are being given another option to get to Stansted without having to go into London for access to the train.”

Alan Pilbeam, managing director for First East England, said the service would help air passengers and people who might be working at the airport.

He said: “I am very pleased we have the opportunity to bring the people of Basildon a fast, frequent and direct connection to Stansted Airport.

“We hope the new service will also bring a much-needed connection for shift workers at the airport.”

The company said existing coach and bus services serving the airport would not be affected.

First currently runs the X22 between Stansted and Colchester, the X30 between Stansted and Southend, via Canvey, and the 33, which takes passengers between Chelmsford and Stansted.