What’s better for a day at the seaside than an ice cream and a ride on an open top bus? With Southend’s 99 you can have both, as we take you on a seafront cruise starting near Rossi’s famous Southend Pier ice cream shop and taking you along the coast to Shoeburyness on one of our fabulous buses, each painted in one of Rossi’s most popular ice cream flavours.
Buses leave from Southend Pier, just by the Pier Hill Lift, every hour from 9.45am to 4.45pm on weekends and bank holidays from May to mid September, and daily during the school holidays.
What’s more, there’s a bus every 30 minutes during the school summer holidays and on other busy days all across the season –
just check our socials for up to the minute information.
You’ll find us on Facebook or X at EnsignBusCo (Follow the links below)
You can download a copy of our full timetable for the 2024 season here
Our fantastic fares…
Once we’re on our way, buses will call at every bus stop along the route, so no matter whether you’re going one-way, enjoying a round trip back to where you started or you want to hop-on and off all day with one of our great value day tickets for unlimited travel we’ve got the right fare for you. Just pay the driver on board with cash or contactless.
- Single tickets and local fares are also available
- Concession pass holders travel at 5-15 fares
- Pay the driver with cash or contactless
+ family tickets are valid for up to four people, with a maximum of two adults
Travelling around town?
If you’re heading to the seafront on a First Essex bus in the Southend area you can buy a ‘Southend + Open Top’ day ticket for unlimited travel on their services, plus all of Southend’s famous open top buses.
Tickets are valid over the whole of First Essex services 3, 20, 21, 21A, 25, 27, 27A and 28 as well as the Airlink X30 between Chelmsford Bus Station and Southend.
You can buy these tickets on the first bus you board that day or straight to your smartphone on the First Bus App.
You can find more information on First Essex bus services across Southend here
Adult £14
Child (5-15) £9
Group (4 People, Maximum 2 adults) £35
You can download a copy of our full fare chart here
| Some fabulous places to explore… |
| Southend Pier
Head down the longest pleasure pier in the world on foot or on the legendary pier railway, or why not head out one way and back the other. As well as a bracing 1 mile walk out to sea with fantastic views of the coastline, there’s a café and tearoom once you reach the end, or when you’re back on dry land, there’s the fascinating pier museum to explore
Find out more at southendpier.co.uk |
| Rossi Ice Cream
The Original Rossi Ice Cream is a Multi Award Winning premium Ice Cream parlour with a long-standing heritage dating back to 1932. Their delicious Ice Cream is not only served at their Westcliff parlour, but all over Southend and Essex! It is nearest our Westcliff Palmeira Stop.
Find out more at rossiparlour.co.uk |
| Sea Life Adventure
At Southend’s own Sealife Adventure you can explore so much more than in a regular aquarium. As well as a huge range of famous sea dwellers you can discover weird and wonderful creatures of the deep and plenty of land-loving animals too including monkeys, meerkats and penguins.
Find out more at sealifeadventure.co.uk |
| Southchurch Park
Just two minutes from the seafront, Southchurch Park is the city’s largest with over twelve hectares to explore. It boasts spectacular formal gardens, tennis courts, football pitches, a children’s play area and the famous model boating lake complete with a café ideal for a drink and bite to eat.
Find out more at visitsouthend.co.uk/venue/southendchurch-park |
| Shoebury Common
Shoebury Common is a blue flag beach that has been recognised for its water quality, beach cleanliness, and safe pedestrian areas. It is home to Uncle Tom’s Cabin which offers a large selection of ice creams, light refreshments, and everything you need for a traditional fun family day beside the seaside. Enjoy walks along the beach hut lined promenade that offer spectacular views of the Thames Estuary that offer a variety of maritime movement.
Find out more at visitsouthend.co.uk/venue/shoebury-common/ |
| Gunners Park Nature Reserve
Accessible to all, this nature reserve is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle and go for a coastal walk, whilst discovering different wildlife around every corner.
Due to its proximity to the Thames Estuary, this nature reserve provides ideal habitat for migrating birds on passage to and from the UK, including ring ouzel, spotted flycatcher, wheatear, whinchat and even yellow-browed warbler. Hundreds of waders will gather along Gog’s Berth, while a grey seal occasionally makes an appearance along the seawall.
Find out more at essexwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/gunners-park-shoebury-ranges |
| Shoebury East beach
East Beach is a long sandy beach that is crowned with a magnificent grassed area making it a superb location to enjoy a picnic. It’s perfect site for a family get together, set away from the central seafront area. A very popular part of the estuary for watersports, East Beach is home to Essex Kitesurfing Club!
Find out more at visitsouthend.co.uk/venue/shoebury-east-beach | |
| Adventure Island
Right next to our main boarding point at Southend Pier is Adventure Island – Southend’s famous free to enter fun fair. There are over 40 fabulous rides and attractions, including 5 roller coasters.
Find out more at adventureisland.co.uk |
DON'T FORGET TO DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OF THE TIMETABLE
For enquiries please call customer services on 01708 865 656
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