A NEW bus service transporting passengers from Colchester to Stansted Airport will be up and running from Sunday.

First Essex's Airlink X20 service already runs from Colchester to Stansted Airport via Coggeshall, Braintree and Dunmow.

However, the bus firm has now launched an overnight service running seven days a week and leaving Colchester for Stansted at 11.25pm and 1.25am.

It will depart from Stansted to Colchester, meanwhile, at 12.45am and 2.45am.

The new journey will begin on the evening of Sunday and customers using the first overnight services in the early hours of Monday will receive a free travel kit.

Julian Elliott, head of network at First East of England, said: “The X20 service has proven to be a really popular addition to our network, enabling customers to access Stansted cheaply and easily. 

“When you consider the high cost of parking, the £2 fare cap offers bus users a significant saving.

“We’re really pleased to be working in partnership with London Stansted to extend the service for the many customers who arrive or depart from the airport at night.”

Steve Mills, head of landside operations, MAG London Stansted Airport, added: “London Stansted is delighted to be working in partnership with First Essex to further develop the X20 bus service, providing kick start funding for these additional early morning services. 

“Bus and coach development is crucial for the continued growth of public transport mode share at London Stansted and to ensure we continue to lead the way in sustainable travel with nearly 50 per cent of our air passengers travelling by bus, coach or train to and from the airport.”