Improving passenger transport - Hertfordshire Essex Rapid Transit

We are now consulting on our HERT Strategy, which sets out how we plan to deliver the HERT system.

What is the HERT?Consultations and engagement Our HERT Strategy and next steps Contact us

What is the HERT?

The Hertfordshire Essex Rapid Transit (HERT) system is a proposed, high-capacity public transport network connecting communities from Hemel Hempstead and Watford in the west to Harlow in the east. The system will link major towns, employment centres, new developments and rail stations, making it easier than ever for people to access jobs, education, healthcare, leisure and retail destinations.

The HERT will provide sustainable transport for the approximate 800,000 residents living in the HERT corridor, as well as an additional 90,000 in Essex, while supporting the delivery of 50,000 new homes and a similar number of jobs. HERT has been designed to meet the needs of today's communities while supporting future growth across Hertfordshire and Essex.

Proposed route

Consultations and engagement

We are now consulting on the HERT Strategy, which sets out how we plan to deliver the HERT system.

Have your say on our HERT Strategy

Past engagements

2021 public engagement

In 2021, we held a public engagement on the HERT. We shared information about the vision, route, vehicle, aims and potential benefits of the HERT, giving local people the opportunity to share their thoughts on the proposals.

Some of the headline findings from the public engagement were:

75% of respondents supported or strongly supported the HERT vision
reliable journey times were the biggest priority for respondents, with 73% selecting this option. Service frequency was deemed to be the second most important feature, with 71% of respondents selecting this.
68% of respondents to the survey suggested that they would be likely to use the HERT.

May 2026 public events

In May 2026, we held six ‘Future of Transport in Hertfordshire’ events across the county. These events promoted the HERT project, showcasing an example HERT vehicle to the public.

The key conclusions from the event feedback were:

general positivity towards the HERT concept, desire for faster delivery and trials
broad agreement that current public transport services are inadequate, with many respondents supporting higher-frequency services and expressing concern that the Abbey Line will be a severance within the HERT system
concern over reliability of existing bus services, infrequent timetables, missed buses and anti-social behaviour
demand for improved connections and better connectivity for the Abbey Line, airports and Hemel Hempstead to Watford
requests for improved wheelchair accessibility, safer travel at night, cycle storage facilities, and better boarding and payment systems
support for integrated payment system between all modes and operators
concern for the lack of dedicated track and bus priority, route feasibility and long delivery timeline.

Our HERT Strategy and next steps

Draft HERT Strategy (PDF 5.4mb)
Sets out how we plan to deliver the HERT system.

Executive summary (PDF 994kb)

If you have any issues accessing these documents, or require a different format, please contact us.

The engagement process has reinforced the importance of delivering a reliable, accessible and customer-focused transport system. Public feedback has helped refine proposals while confirming strong demand for enhanced east-west connectivity across Hertfordshire.

The positive response received through consultation and engagement provides a strong foundation for the next stages of programme development and delivery.

Have your say on our HERT Strategy

Next steps

2026 -2027: Draft HERT Strategy

Consultation

Final HERT Strategy

2027 - 2035: Building blocks

Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead

St Albans, Hertford

2035 - 2040: Fully operational

Contact us

If you would like any more information, please contact HERT@hertfordshire.gov.uk