If you used the Dart D4 bus to get to Othona from Southminster train station then hopefully you will be aware that, sadly, this service ended on the 27th July 2024. There is a replacement service, the 45. The original company taking over this route unfortunately went into liquidation on 26th July 2024 however a new company has taken over the route but the timetable previously provided has been changed.
This service is much reduced compared to the D4, it collects from Southminster Train Station at 9.58 and 14.28 on Monday to Friday but there is no weekend service. This bus will no longer come all the way to the Community as the D4 used to, it will drop off at the Kings Head in Bradwell village. We realise that this causes problems for many who come by train and are working on solutions for this. Our current proposals are:
- For those coming by train Monday to Friday please can you try to coordinate your journey so that you can catch one of the two buses. This will help to support the bus service and will save us having to do pickups from Southminster. We will collect people being dropped off at the village but will need you to let us know your plans and which bus you will catch.
- For those people coming at the weekend there are two options, either you can order a taxi in advance (Kitty Cabs -07710295955, cost is £20 one way) or you can contact us to arrange a pickup. We will pickup from the 15.26 train on Saturday or the 15.36 train on Sunday so please try to coordinate your travel to arrive at this time. We will only arrange a pickup if we are notified in advance that there will be people coming on this train.
- If you are unable to catch a bus or cannot come on the correct train on Saturday or Sunday or are unable to take a taxi then please contact us (01621 776564) and we will try to help.
- For those wanting to travel back to the station (Monday to Friday), we will arrange a lift to Bradwell village to catch the 11.03 bus to Southminster. For those tavelling at the weekends we will arrange a lift to catch the morning train at Southminster.
We will work towards getting the bus to travel down to the Community instead of dropping in the village and will keep you updated.
