The delivery consists of six 8.9m Enviro200 single-deck buses, built to order for the independent English operator, as well as three longer 10.8m Enviro200 buses converted for Stephensons from Alexander Dennis’s stock.
The buses are all to premium specification, with Stephensons’ own moquette, colour-coordinated interior flooring, and USB charging points at each of their high-back seats.
The six shorter buses have 30 seats each and have been bought as a fleet upgrade for Stephensons’ bus routes.
The three longer buses have 40 seats each. They have been bought specifically for use on Stephensons’ half-hourly service from Leigh-on-Sea to London Southend Airport and the Airport Business Park, which forms a north-to-south link through Southend-on-Sea without having to change in the city centre. The new service is operated in partnership with Southend City Council, with operational funding provided by the Department of Transport’s Bus Service Improvement Plan.
All nine buses are painted in Stephensons’ eye-catching green-and-white livery, while the three longer buses each have LeighLink route branding to promote the new airport service.
This is the second large delivery of Alexander Dennis buses Stephensons has taken in the last 12 months, joining five Enviro400 double-deckers announced in January.
Bill Hiron, Chairman of Stephensons of Essex, said: “We’re delighted to take these new buses, which all look wonderful and will boost our fleet profile around Essex. We’re always impressed with the operational efficiency and performance of Alexander Dennis buses.
“We’re especially proud of our role in linking Leigh-on-Sea to Southend Airport, a long-wished-for service that will support the community and make a massive difference to thousands of customers. The new buses are ideal for the job.”
Stephensons of Essex recently took home the Small/Medium Bus Operator of the Year trophy at the 2025 routeone Awards.
Established in 1972, it is now an employee-owned business, having been sold by Chairman Bill Hiron to its 200-strong staff in autumn 2024.
Headquartered at Rochford near Southend-on-Sea, it operates a fleet of around 140 buses and coaches from seven depots, on bus routes and school services in Essex, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. It is a member of the ALBUM association of independent bus operators as well as the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT).
Martin Dunleavy, Regional Sales Manager for Alexander Dennis, said: “Congratulations to Stephensons of Essex for their recent win at the routeone Awards. They really are a fantastic local bus operator, and we’re very proud to see Alexander Dennis buses play a part in their success.
“With the five Enviro400 double-deckers delivered earlier proving themselves admirably in their first year, and our 24/7 aftermarket services always on hand if needed, we’re so happy to further boost Stephensons’ immaculate fleet and award-winning operation with these beautiful new Enviro200 buses.”
