First Essex is to close its Clacton depot and stop all five of its town services. Up to 60 of the 65 jobs are at risk. The routes operate 24 vehicles with a peak vehicle requirement (PVR) of 21.
Its seven days a week Clacton-Colchester and Clacton-Walton-on-the-Naze routes will continue.
First says its Clacton operation “has not been viable for several years.”
It faces competition from Go-Ahead owned Hedingham, which has a network of five Clacton town routes, and a route to Colchester.
Hedingham says it is planning to replace First’s routes.
First says that “despite working hard to turn the business around, there has been insufficient passenger demand” and the “challenging economy” has also been a factor.
First Essex MD Steve Wickers says: “The level of demand is not enough to warrant a stand-alone bus operation in Clacton.
“We see no alternative. Despite our best efforts, patronage has declined gradually over the last couple of years.
The threatened services are routes 2 (Clacton-Mistley), 3 (Harwich-Clacton), 4/4A (Clacton-Jaywick), 5/5A (Clacton-Flatford Drive) and 6 (Clacton-Point Clear via Bockings Elm and St Osyth).
Mr Wickers added: “Our proposals do not, in any way, reflect on the commitment of our colleagues in Clacton who have worked tirelessly to provide the best possible service to the local community. I’d like to thank each, and every one, for their hard work and loyalty.
“We will be doing everything we can to assist everyone affected and will actively support any of our employees who may wish to transfer to other First Bus operations.”
