During the 1990s Britain's national railway was reorganised and privatised. Passenger operation of the London, Tilbury and Southend route became a separate franchise, beginning another major chapter in Pitsea's railway history.
The passenger franchise was awarded to Prism Rail, which began operating the route as LTS Rail on 26 May 1996. The operator inherited ageing slam-door trains and a route whose poor reliability had damaged its reputation.
Prism committed to replacing the old fleet. New Class 357 Electrostar electric trains were ordered and introduced around the turn of the century. They became the characteristic c2c trains used through Pitsea for many years.
National Express bought Prism Rail in 2000. LTS Rail was rebranded c2c during 2000, and investment in trains and the railway helped improve the route's performance and public image.
Pitsea's 1970s booking office had closed and was demolished in June 2004. A new station building opened in October 2005, providing modern passenger facilities, ticketing and retail space.
Transport Minister Derek Twigg attended the official opening ceremony on 24 November 2005, alongside c2c managing director Andrew Chivers. The 2005 building remains the principal modern entrance to Pitsea station.
In February 2017 c2c was acquired by Trenitalia, the Italian state railway operator. The c2c brand continued. New Class 720 Aventra trains began supplementing the Class 357 fleet in 2023.
Privatisation separated the company running passenger trains from much of the organisation responsible for the physical network. Passenger companies such as LTS Rail and c2c operated services and managed stations, while railway infrastructure passed first through Railtrack and subsequently Network Rail.
1996: Prism Rail begins operating as LTS Rail.
2000: National Express buys Prism; c2c branding introduced.
2004: 1970s Pitsea booking office demolished.
2005: present station building opens.
2017: Trenitalia acquires c2c.
2023: Class 720 trains join the fleet.