We ask the main general election contenders in South Basildon and East Thurrock to give their views on a local hot topic... public transport.

Ian Luder, Ukip candidate

IF we are serious about t e m p t i n g people to use public transport, it should be available, reliable, comfortable and realistically priced.

c2c is one of the better rail franchises, but rush-hour commuters to London are treated like cattle. Fares have risen under both Labour and Conservative every year since privatisation, and the operator openly advertises those services which are already overcrowded. We need an immediate programme to lengthen platforms and introduce 12-car trains on all peak services.

Some bus services are excellent, with modern ecofriendly vehicles. Fares, however, are exorbitant. We need to speed up the vehicle modernisation programme and have a clear policy that no village or urban area will lose its service. Only with that commitment, should we look at whether routes should change.

Mike Le-Surf, Labour candidate

GOOD public transport is the key to solving the issues of congestion on roads across the constituency.

Above-inflation rail fares are an attack on hardworking people and a Labour Government will introduce more transparency, while involving passengers in a strategic body running the railways.

Our bus services are often under threat of cuts, especially in the rural areas, as the announced scrapping of the 374 bus service highlighted recently.

Luckily, this valued service was saved, but changes to the route will leave some residents isolated in their own communities.

Further Tory cuts to local government grants have left councils with the now impossible-to-avoid task of cutting vital front-line services. Labour will make sure public transport is strengthened.

Stephen Metcalfe, Conservative candidate

WE are fortunate to have one of the most reliable and punctual rail services in the country and we want to keep that.

There are changes proposed which in theory will add more capacity, although I have concerns about the removal of starter trains from Laindon and am working with the Laindon Passenger Group, colleagues and c2c to ensure my constituents are not disadvantaged and that the excellent service we enjoy now continues.

With regard to our bus service, outside of the many commercial routes that operate successfully, we have a network of buses, supported by the local authority, which are essential.

They are a life-line for many people to access public services and I will fight wherever possible to ensure the services are maintained.

Kerry Smith, Independent candidate

NEARLY two years ago, my constituents in Langdon Hills lost their regular bus service at Pittfields.

Too many bus routes in Basildon stop in the early evening. Now the new cinema has been approved at the Eastgate, we are going to need extended bus services of an evening.

This will mean the next Government must help EssexCounty Council fund this request.

Basildon Hospital is looking to tax people out of its car park with higher charges.

This proposed parking charge increase must be blocked as it would apply more pressure to the local bus network.

With plans to build swathes of homes, capacity on the c2c line must be increased.

Why should commuters pay the highest fares and suffer cattle-class?