<Minnerva>
Minnerva was commissioned by Mouchel Essex, to advise on the patronage response to improving the bus service between Canvey Island and Basildon, in south Essex. The analysis from the four-week desktop study built on the work conducted by Mouchel Essex as part of the South Essex Multimodal study (SEMMS), which provided information on the existing bus service and proposed improvements.

SEMMS was established to implement a number of improvements that were identified in the Essex Local Transport Plan (LTP) and to investigate issues arising from the Canvey Integrated Transport Plan. The limited access to Canvey Island and its influence on the potential for regeneration were identified by the LTP as key problems to be resolved in accordance with funding constraints.

The aims of SEMMS include improving the quality and reliability of access to Canvey Island, and the operation of passenger transport. Specific attention to the links between Canvey and Basildon town centre and industrial area was required.

The component of the study for which Minnerva had particular responsibility was to assess the options for improving the bus service between Canvey Island and Basildon town centre. It was required to provide an indication of the feasibility of the proposed improvements, and the patronage response to each. The analysis was undertaken through the development and application of a mode-choice model, following a desktop review of available data.

(Contact: Miles Logie)