Public transport in Colchester
| Public transport in Colchester | |
|---|---|
 A First Essex bus in the city centre | |
| Overview | |
| Locale | Colchester and surrounding regions |
| Transit type | Bus, Bus rapid transit, Rail |
| Operation | |
| Operator(s) | First Essex, Arriva Colchester, Hedingham & Chambers, Greater Anglia |
The public transport infrastructure of Colchester comprises multiple modes of transport, including buses and railways.
Buses
[edit]Colchester bus station is located on Osborne Street; it serves as the central hub for the majority of bus services and the interconnected transport network in the city. Additionally, there are plans underway for a comprehensive redevelopment of the bus station, aimed at modernising its facilities, enhancing passenger experience and accommodating future transport needs.[1]
There are two main bus operators in the city: First Essex and Arriva Colchester, which operate most of the lines within the city. Secondary operators include Hedingham & Chambers, Beeston's, Ipswich Buses, Stephensons of Essex and Panther Travel (Essex); these usually operate multi-county/county-wide routes or to rural villages on the outskirts of Colchester.[2]
National Express operates coach services. It stopped operating its stop at Osborne Street in 2020 due to "safety concerns."[3]
Bus rapid transit
[edit]The Colchester rapid transit system is a bus rapid transit system, which will serve the central city and its suburbs.[4]
It is set to have one route and eight stations, terminating in the proposed new garden community. The guided busway portions are along Cowdray Avenue and Via Urbis Romanae.[5]
The project is set to finish construction in 2025.[6]
Railway
[edit]
Colchester has three railway stations:
- Colchester (also known as Colchester North), the principal station that serves the city.
- Colchester Town
- Hythe.
There are two lines that pass through Colchester:
- Great Eastern Main Line between London Liverpool Street, Ipswich and Norwich
- Sunshine Coast Line, to Clacton-on-Sea and Walton-on-the-Naze.
All services are operated by Greater Anglia.[7]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Critchell, Matthew (10 February 2025). "Colchester could get new bus station as part of a huge overhaul of city centre". Gazette. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
- ^ "Colchester Bus Services". Bus Times. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
- ^ Dalby, Tom (28 February 2020). "Coach firm will no longer serve bus station over 'safety fears'". Gazette. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
- ^ "Colchester Rapid Transit". www.essexhighways.org. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
- ^ Penny, Brandon (7 September 2024). "Explained: Why council bosses say new 'rapid' bus lane is needed to keep city moving". Gazette. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
- ^ "Colchester's bus lane project will be delayed". BBC News. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
- ^ "Timetables". Greater Anglia. 15 December 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2025.