What is the Hospital Hopper?
The Colchester Hospital Hopper Service was introduced in July 2004 in partnership with central government, Essex County Council and Tendring Primary Care Trust. TCT also received a one-off financial contribution for the Hopper service from the Neighbourhood Interaction Fund. In 2020 we received 3 years funding towards the running cost of the Hospital Hopper from the National Lottery Community Fund and in 2023 another 3 years funding to continue to support the service. In 2026 we received funding from the Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity to extend the Hospital Hopper timetable giving a more frequent service to and from the Colchester hospitals.
Who can use the Hospital Hopper?
The Hopper is an accessible public service that people can use to access the Colchester Hospitals.
Hospital Hopper route?
The Hopper route covers, Holland-On-Sea, Clacton-On-Sea, Great Clacton, Jaywick, St Osyth & Great Bentley.
Timetable
We are excited to announce we have received funding from The Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity, so from the 1st April 2026 we will be extending our Hopper timetable, offering a more frequent service to and from the Colchester hospitals. Please note: There is no changes to the current route.
Pick up locations: Holland-On-Sea, Clacton-On-Sea, Great Clacton, Jaywick, St Osyth & Great Bentley.
Arriving at: St Helena Hospice Barncroft Close, Colchester General Hospital Turner Road, Primary Care Centre Turner Road, The Oaks Hospital Mile End Road. Other medical centres on request.
Actual arrival times vary-depending on bookings.
Return from: The Oaks Hospital Mile End Road, Colchester General Hospital Turner Road, Primary Care Centre Turner Road, St Helena Hospice Barncroft Close.
Actual leaving times vary- depending on bookings.
TIMETABLE FROM 1ST APRIL 2026
Hospital Hopper Bus Service- Monday- Friday
| Pick up times: | 06:15 | 07:45 | 09:00 | 10:00 | 11:00 | 13:00 | 14:00 | 15:00 | |
| Arriving at Colchester Hospitals: | 07:00 | 08:45 | 09:50 | 10:50 | 11:50 | 13:50 | 14:50 | 15:50 | |
| Return times from Colchester Hospitals: | 07:05 | 09:00 | 10:00 | 11:00 | 13:00 | 14:00 | 15:00 | 16:00 | 17:00 |
Hospital Hopper Bus Service- Saturday
| Pick up times: | 09:00 | 11:00 | 14:00 | ||||||
| Arriving at Colchester Hospitals: | 09:50 | 11:50 | 14:50 | ||||||
| Return times from Colchester Hospitals: | 10:00 | 13:00 | 15:15 |
Hospital Hopper Bus Service- Sunday
| Pick up times: | 09:00 | 11:00 | |||||||
| Arriving at Colchester Hospitals: | 09:50 | 11:50 | |||||||
| Return times from Colchester Hospitals: | 10:00 | 13:00 |
The times shown above are approximate and may vary owing to traffic congestion. Our drivers strive to keep to the times listed above, which are subject to review.
To use this service
Simply telephone 01255 436962 or 07948055888 (out of hours.) Alternatively you may wish to visit our offices- Tendring Community Transport, 76 Station Road, Clacton-On-Sea, Essex. CO15 1SP.
How much does it cost?
Passenger fares- Adults: £8.00 single, £16.00 return. Children under 16: £4.00 single, £8.00 return Children under 5: free of charge. If you hold a valid concessionary bus pass you will receive free transport. Please note: We are unable to accept bus passes on the 06:15 & 07:45 service. A single fare of £8.00 will be charged.
Please note:
This service is not a door-to-door service, passengers are required to get to a pre-arranged pick-up point. There is no service on Bank Holidays.
Feedback
If you use this service we would love to hear your feedback.
Click feedback and tell us about your experience or any other comments you wish to make.
Alternatively email tendring.ct@btconnect.com or call us on 01255 436962.
Tendring Community Transport welcomes expressions of thanks and immediately acts upon complaints. Both help us to monitor and evaluate the quality of the services we provide.
Testimonials
You can read what our customers have to say about our services on the customer feedback page.