Little Maplestead is served by a frequent, flexible Demand Responsive Transport (DaRT) bus service, one where passengers need to book journeys with the operator in advance.
The service differs from a normal bus in as much as the route is flexible, allowing people to be collected and dropped off at, for example, the hospital within the service’s operating area. However, unlike with conventional buses, DaRT users must book a seat, and register as a customer, at least two hours before travelling.
Booking can be done by phone: 01621 87441 or e-mail: bookings@essexandsuffolkdart.co.uk
The DaRT F315 service runs to a timetable between Halstead and Sudbury. However, parts of this service are Demand Responsive only, and this includes Little Maplestead – in other words, the bus won’t visit Little Maplestead unless the service is booked.
The published timetable, effective from December 2021, can be found here.
Route details and an online timetable can be found here.
Flat fares for the DaRT F315 service between any two stops are shown below:
| Adult | Child | |
| (Over 16) | (5-16 inc) |
| Single | Return | Single | Return | |
| £3.00 | £5.00 | £1.50 | £2.50 |
Children under 5 are free
Concessionary bus passes are accepted.
More details about the DaRT service can be found here.
Answers to some Frequently Asked Questions about the service can be found here. Further information can be found on the Essex County Council website.