Escaping the heat of Central London for a while, I travel down river to slightly cooler Thurrock and catch up with changes to the Ensignbus network and fleet, riding buses in the Grays area.

The Ensignbus network map which shows most routes in Thurrock including those of other operators First Essex, NIBS and Central Connect, although oddly omitting TfL Routes 370 & 372, the inclusion of which would present a comprehensive picture of the links available in the area. The importance of Lakeside Shopping Centre and its adjacent Retail Park as a destination will be noted, which since it opened in 1990 has become the “de facto” town centre of Thurrock.

A Brief History of Ensignbus

Ensignbus was formed in 1972 by Peter Newman, commencing with a small number of commercial bus contracts. Later, the company diversified into secondhand bus sales, which started when London Transport began to dispose of its Daimler Fleetlines and then went on include ex London Routemasters and other types, eventually becoming the biggest used bus dealer in the UK. The company also became known for operating open top bus tours which began with the purchase of the London Pride Sightseeing business.

In terms of regular local bus operations, Ensignbus expanded into tendered London Buses work in East London from the late 1980s, although these were later sold to what became Capital Citybus. In 2004, the company’s first regular commercial service in Essex & Kent began, with the start of the X80 between Lakeside & Bluewater via the Dartford Crossing. Two years later, Ensignbus began operating services under contract to Thurrock Council, which is the origin of the current network. Further services were later added around Brentwood, which have since passsed to other operators.

The company also amassed a significant collection of heritage vehicles over the years, comprising both former London and provincial types, which were used on private hire and rail replacement work in addition to a regular Heritage Running Day held annually in Thurrock.

In 2023, with the retirement of Peter Newman, Ensignbus was purchased by First Group, with its bus dealer and bus service operations remaining separate from the operations of First Essex. The heritage fleet was not included in the sale and remains with the Newman family - see my previous article of 25th May 2026 “Heritage Buses: Zeroing in on Essex” for more details on this.

Current Ensignbus local service operations are based at the company’s Purfleet Garage, with the code “PT” appearing on many vehicles. Types in use comprise a mix of those purchased new plus some obtained secondhand. The most recent acquisitions at the time of writing are a number of former Stagecoach London Enviro400s, which operate beside several Volvo B9TLs that are a mix of examples new to the company and some formerly with First London / Tower Transit. Other double deck types include Volvo B5 LH hybrids, plus some Wright StreetDeck Ultroliners. Single deckers comprise a small number of Enviro 200s of classic and MMC versions. The total fleet is around 50 vehicles.

***The cover of the Ensignbus Timetable Booklet which includes all the changes to services from March 2026 and was available in racks on most of the buses I travelled on.***

Inside, there are timetables for all routes in Thurrock, including those of other operators, details of fares and a fold out map of the network inside the back cover An impressive publication which other operators would do well to emulate.

Route 44: Lakeside - Grays

My rides began at Lakeside Bus Station fairly early in the morning before the shopping centre opened. Ensignbus routes are a real mix of vehicle types - anything can appear on anything basically. Added to this, there is a considerable amount of interworking between services, so you can never be quite sure what will turn up!

I started with the 44, which operates between Lakeside & Grays in a long horizontal “U” shape via Purfleet. A 30 min frequency applies M-S daytimes, Hourly Sun daytimes. An Hourly M-S evening service operates between Lakeside & Purfleet only. The next departure from Lakeside Bus Station was formed by Volvo B5LH Wright no 506, a hybrid with the original Gemini 2 bodywork including the classic rounded front. This is one of a small batch of the type which were new to the company. We departed westwards on time via the Bus Only Road through the adjacent Retail Park and then along the Arterial Road, diverting off briefly to serve Uplands Estate, which produced a few takers. Then a left turn past the Ensignbus Garage and over the railway before looping around the Garrison Estate.

We then reached Purfleet itself, perched over the River Thames, where there was a welcome breeze blowing. This is the home of the Purfleet Heritage & Military Centre, housed in the one remaining Royal Gunpowder Magazine from the 18th Century. At Purfleet Station, we paused briefly when the level crossing gates closed to allow a C2C train to Fenchurch Street to pass. Continuing east, we reached Stonehouse Corner and the industrial area on the north side of the Dartford Crossing. Then along London Road through West Thurrock into Grays, passing a mix of residential and commercial properties. Incidentally, the name Grays comes from the de Grey family, granted the manor in the area by the crown in the 12th Century and who owned it for several centuries. The name “Thurrock” means a place where dirty water or bilge collects, in this case referring to marshy areas on the banks of the Thames, so the area became known as Grays Thurrock, later just Grays.

A busy journey on the final stretch, with many commuters into town, but we completed the trip in 40 mins.

***Volvo B5LH Wright Eclipse Gemini no 506 at Lakeside Bus Station before I rode it on the 44 to Grays via Purfleet.***

*This is one of a batch of 6 of the type with Ensignbus, which retain the more attractive rounded Gemini 2 front rather than the angular version of later deliveries.*

Route 33: Grays - Chafford Hundred - Grays

My second route of the day was the 33, a short local linking Grays with the new development at Chafford Hundred. An Hourly service operates M-S daytimes, which increases to every 30 mins during M-F peaks. Many trips interwork with the 88, of which more later. Indeed, Volvo B9TL Wright no 135 arrived on an inbound 88 and then became an outbound 33. I boarded with the throng, noting the First Bus purple interior but with new moquette, this bus being former First London and Tower Transit VN36158.

Proceeding around the town centre, we departed north along Hathaway Road, before looping around the Drake Road and Clockhouse Lane estate area. Then into the Chafford Hundred development of new housing, terminating at Chafford Hundred Station, which opened in 1995 and is situated on the Upminster - Grays branch of the C2C line. Just over 20 mins for this trip.

Our bus then departed out of service, but its replacement, Enviro400 no 120, had already arrived just behind. This is one of the former Stagecoach London examples (ex 19856) that came to the Ensignbus fleet earlier this year. On boarding, I noted that it had been neatly single-doored but retained Stagecoach blue and orange moquette. Proceeding back to town the way we had come, we picked up a reasonable number on the journey which once again took a tad over 20 mins.

This Enviro400 is now fleet no 120 with Ensignbus, but until recently was with Stagecoach London as their 19856 and was one of 11 such vehicles in stock at time of writing. Seen picking up on the 33 at Grays Bus Station after I had ridden it on both the 33 & 88, which interwork here.

*This example has been single doored but retains its Stagecoach moquette inside. The Ensignbus livery looks smart on this vehicle.*

Route 88: Grays - Orsett Hospital - Grays

My next route was the 88, which operates out to Orsett, a village to the north east of Grays. An Hourly service operates Daily, although with a later start on Sundays. Due to interworking, the next departure was formed by no 120 again, on which I had just arrrived on the 33, so I reboarded with a reasonable number of others. We proceeded out of town along Hathaway Road as per the 33, but then continued on to the main road at Socketts Heath, which we followed for a short distance.

At “The Oak” PH, we turned off into suburban Blackshots Lane, before looping around the housing in the Jesmond Road and Long Lane area of Stifford Clays, then turning into Cramavill Street. By now, most of our clientele had alighted and we hung a right into Stifford Clays Road for a speedy country section to Orsett, a pleasant place retaining its village atmosphere with narrow High Road, little pubs, historic church and a few thatched cottages. We proceeded around a one way terminal loop through the village to Orsett Hospital, where there is a 2 min schreduled “hesitation” before continuing on the return trip.

After regaining the High Road, we proceeded via the reverse of the outward route through Stifford Clays and Socketts Heath back to Grays, another quite well-used trip. A couple of minutes under the hour for the rounder.

The mix of types on Ensignbus routes is illustrated by Volvo B9TL Wright Gemini fleet number 135 departing from Grays Bus Station on the 88 to Orsett Hospital. I travelled on this bus earlier on my outward journey from Grays on the 33.

*Another former Londoner, formerly with First London and Tower Transit as their VN36158, it has been retrimmed with new moquette.*

Route 22: Grays - Aveley - Lakeside

By now, it was around midday, so I turned my attention to the more frequent services operated by Ensignbus, starting with the 22. This operates between Grays & Aveley via Lakeside at a 15 min frequency M-F daytimes, with one bus per hour extended to Purfleet. At weekends, the service drops to every 30 mins during daytimes, over the Grays - Aveley section only. An Hourly service operates daily during the evening, with buses continuing to/from Tilbury as 73s.

As with the other services I had travelled on, a good mix of types was evident on the 22, but I was lucky that the second departure from Grays was in the hands of another of the former Stagecoach London Enviros, this time ex 19780, now fleet no 117. Boarding with the assembled throng, I saw that this was another example to retain the traditional Stagecoach blue and orange moquette within its now single door layout and repositioned wheelchair space on the nearside.

We proceeded out of Grays Town Centre towards West Thurrock, but continuing along London Road beyond “The Ship” PH before turning off around the industrial estate and through the Retail Park, serving B&Q and IKEA amongst other well known stores. Then into Lakeside Bus Station for the main Shopping Centre. A couple of minutes for a driver change, before we swept out of the centre and up to the Arterial Road, before turning left past Davy Down Riverside Park and up Stifford Hill past the Mardyke Woods and Golf Club, basically following TfL Route 370 for a brief while. Then into Stifford Road and through Belhus, a large area of housing in South Ockendon, with an exchange of passengers ar Derwent Parade Shops. Continuing around the estate in a loop, we emerged again onto Stifford Road, which we followed for a short distance before arriving into Aveley. After serving the narrow High St, we made our way up Mill Road into Romford Road and negotiated the terminal loop to complete the journey at Usk Road near the shops. A 50 min run.

Our bus then departed “Not in Service” to await its correct departure time 20 mins later, but meanwhile Wright StreetDeck Ultroliner no 181 was already on stand to form the next service. I was the only passenger boarding at this point for the return run, which I travelled on as far as Lakeside, a 25 min journey back via Belhus. Incidentally, this was the only bus I travelled on which had next stop announcements, although the accompanying visual display was not working.

Another of the Enviro400s that passed from Stagecoach London to Ensignbus earlier in 2026 was former 19780, now fleet no 117. Captured at Lakeside Bus Station on the 22 on a trip from Aveley to Grays.

*I had travelled aboard it on its previous outward journey from Grays to Aveley.*

Route 83: Lakeside - Chadwell St Mary

Back at Lakeside, I ended the day with a return run on the 73/83 pair of routes, which operate in tandem from that point to Grays and east to the “Cross Keys” PH at Chadwell before splitting - the 73 proceeding south to Tilbury and the 83 looping around Chadwell St Mary.

I began with the 83, which operates every 30 mins M-S daytimes only, although the 73 provides an hourly evening service plus a 30 min daytime Sun service by double-running around the Chadwell loop on its way to/from Tilbury at those times. This may save a bus during those hours, but at the expense of longer journey times for through passengers.

The usual mixed bag of vehicles was out on the route, but next to arrive at Lakeside was another former Stagecoach Enviro, now fleet no 118, but better known as 19847 when in London service. I noted that this example had been retrimmed with new blue and white moquette and finished with silver handrails, although the incoming driver found one of the smaller seat top handles to have fallen off when carrying out his checks, so placed it in the cab for safe-keeping! A few minutes later, the replacement driver arrived and boarded a wheelchair user first before allowing the rest of us to follow. Then, spot on time, we were off, making our way to Grays again, but this time via the direct route along West Thurrock Way to “The Ship”, before continuing along the main road once more into Grays Town Centre. It was on this part of the trip that we encountered the only real congestion I had seen all day, with a slow moving queue for much of the way on this section.

However, the timetable seemed to allow for this, with a few extra minutes scheduled in the afternoon, so we arrived at Grays Bus Station on schedule. Then onwards around the town and out along Palmers Avenue towards Little Thurrock, before taking Southend Road up to Socketts Heath. This time, we continued on the main road along Wood View to Chadwell, with another traffic queue encountered on approach to the lights at the “Cross Keys” crossroads. From here, we parted company with the 73, turning north along Brentwood Road before taking a lengthy clockwise terminal loop around various estate roads in Chadwell St Mary. A few minutes “hesitation” is built into the timetable here, but we continued on to regain the schedule. I alighted back at the “Cross Keys” have circumnavigated the loop. A 55 min journey in total from when I boarded.

***Not one I travelled on, but the side view of Volvo B9TL no 127 on the 83 at Grays Bus Station shows the prominent ‘tween decks advertising for the heritage bus hire available via Ensignbus.***

*Note the “Top Independent Operator” branding beneath the fleetname, an award which the company won in 2018. Local bus operations were sold to First Group in 2023.*

Route 73: Chadwell St Mary - Tilbury - Lakeside

At Chadwell, I crossed the road to await the next 73 down to Tilbury, in order to complete the final part of the jigsaw of Ensignbus routes for the day. The 73 has a 20 min frequency on M-F daytimes, 30 mins Sat/Sun daytimes and Hourly evenings daily. However, as previously mentioned, during eves & Suns, it double runs via the Chadwell loop to cover the 83, whilst at the other end, extends to/from Aveley by changing number to 22 at Grays (NW-bound) and back to 73 at Lakeside (SE-bound).

My final bus was yet another of the former Stagecoach Enviro refugees, this time no 111 (formerly 19749 in London), also with the new style moquette and handrails fitted. We turned smartly right at the Chadwell Cross-Roads lights, passing the Grade 1 listed St Mary’s Church and continuing downhill through a brief stretch of open country to the outskirts of Tilbury. After dropping off and picking up along Feenan Highway, we came into the town centre, calling at Civic Square and terminating at nearby Montreal Road. Just a 10 min trip, the former extension to Tilbury Town Station, Amazon and Tilbury ASDA no longer covered since service changes in March 2026, this section being left to local Ensignbus 99 and First Essex 200, but maybe causing the loss of a useful local facility across the town.

After a short break of no more than 5 mins, I rejoined no 111 for the full return trip from Tilbury to Lakeside via Grays. Whilst we had been busy coming in to Tilbury, it was a quiet run in the return direction, although we were caught for a few minutes in the queue up to Chadwell Cross-Roads. Once past here though, all was fine and it was an uncomplicated run back towards Grays, with views of the Tilbury Docks to our left in between the ribbon development. A brief pause at Grays Bus Station before continuing back to Lakeside the quick way, taking just under 45 mins trip time.

Back in London Transport Country Bus and subsequent London Country times, the main trunk route in the area was the 370, which in those days ran from Romford to Grays & Tilbury Ferry at frequent intervals with a host of short-workings. Operated with Green RTs for many years, it was converted to RCL when these Green Line Coach Routemasters were released from the 723 group in the early 70s. Indeed, Grays (GY) Garage was one of the last to operate Routemasters with London Country in the late 70s. A surprise at the time was the conversion of the 370 to Bristol VR in 1977, firstly in crew mode, then as OPO vehicles, but they were transferred to Bristol Omnibus in 1980 after just 3 years’ service and replaced with new AN class Leyland Atlanteans. The 370 was gradually cut back at its southern end, first to Grays and eventually to Lakeside, becoming a TfL contract route in 2007 with Arriva, with whom it still operates at the time of this article. Today’s Ensignbus 73 covers much of the former 370 routeing south/east of Lakeside.

The 73 (Lakeside -Tilbury) was cut back in the latter town from ASDA to Montreal Road with the service changes implemented in March 2026. Enviro400 no 111 is on stand at the new terminus before I joined it for the ride back to Lakeside.

*This bus was formerly 19749 with Stagecoach London, this example having received new blue and white moquette and silver handrails inside as can be seen here.*

Other Ensignbus Routes

In addition to the six routes I travelled on, to give a complete picture of Ensignbus operations in Thurrock, there are two other services to mention:

X80 - Lakeside to Bluewater via the Dartford Crossing. Operates Hourly Daily between 0600-2200 M-F, 0700-2100 Sat & 0930-1730 Sun. Normally double deck and often featuring Volvo B9TL no 130 in a special livery marking 20 years of the service in 2024.
99 - Tilbury Circular from ASDA via Ferry Terminal and Town, with peak journeys serving Amazon. Every 30 mins M-S daytimes only. Normally single deck using Enviro 200 “classic” or MMC types. Unfortunately, the Tilbury - Gravesend Ferry service across the Thames was withdrawn in 2024, depriving the area of a valuable direct transport link. At the time of writing, an investigation was being carried out as to whether the ferry can be reinstated on a viable basis.

The X80 provides a cross-river link between Lakeside & Bluewater via the Dartford Crossing. Volvo B9TL no 130 is seen at Lakeside Bus Station back in December 2023 but was still operating at the time of writing.

*At the time, the vehicle had just been repainted into this special commemorative livery to celebrate 20 years of the service.*

Ensignbus Running Day

To end, no visit to Thurrock would be complete without mention of the former Ensignbus Running Day, which featured preserved vehicles from the heritage fleet running over a number of routes in the area for one day each year, usually the first Saturday in December. I attended this event on a number of occasions and enjoyed riding former London buses, mainly my favourite RT types. The last of these events was held in December 2023, but many of the vehicles involved can now be viewed at the Zero2 Bus Museum in Essex, with occasional local rides available.

Watton

Flying the Blue & Silver Ensign

West End to West London & Back