Passenger trains and station services at Pitsea continue under the c2c identity. The railway links Pitsea with London Fenchurch Street, Basildon and Laindon on the direct route, the Tilbury and Grays route, and Benfleet, Southend and Shoeburyness to the east.
On 20 July 2025, c2c transferred from Trenitalia ownership into the public sector. It is now operated as c2c Railway Limited under DfT Operator Ltd (DFTO), the government's public-sector rail owning group.
The organisation running passenger services is not the same thing as the infrastructure organisation. Network Rail has responsibility for national railway infrastructure including track, signalling and associated assets. That distinction explains why both Network Rail and c2c can be involved with the same railway.
In May 2026 c2c, Greater Anglia and Network Rail Anglia were brought under a unified leadership structure known as GBR Anglia. This is part of the move towards a more integrated railway and the development of Great British Railways.
The basic geography created in 1888 remains fundamental. West of Pitsea, one railway heads through Basildon, Laindon and Upminster while the other heads through Stanford-le-Hope, Tilbury and Grays. East of the station the routes combine towards Benfleet and Southend.
The present station building dates from 2005, but the site reflects many different eras: the original 1855 railway, the 1888 junction, steam operation, LMS ownership, British Rail electrification, New Town development, privatisation and the latest return to public ownership.
1855–1912: London, Tilbury and Southend Railway era.
1912–1922: Midland Railway.
1923–1947: London, Midland and Scottish Railway.
1948–1996: British Railways / British Rail era.
1996–2000: Prism Rail, trading as LTS Rail.
2000–2017: c2c under National Express ownership.
2017–20 July 2025: c2c under Trenitalia ownership.
20 July 2025 onward: c2c Railway Limited under public-sector DfT Operator Ltd.
2026: c2c operates within the emerging integrated GBR Anglia leadership structure alongside Greater Anglia and Network Rail Anglia.
The railway has influenced Pitsea for more than 170 years. It encouraged settlement, changed the focus of the old village, created a direct connection with London, helped the plotlands grow, served the New Town and remains a major part of everyday transport. Few individual developments have had such a long and continuous effect on Pitsea.