The X11 however will no longer serve Hedge End, bring to an end Hedge End's era of three bus operators running between there and Southampton, which of course began when Velvet A was first extended. Interesting that what started as a route extension also ends as an extension, just of another route. First 8 no longer serves the centre of Hedge End or Oaklands, so that leaves these areas to Bluestar 3 for people needing to get into the city. The 3 has had a few cuts of its own in recent years, so the end of direct competition will hopefully make it more viable.
The X14 between Bitterne and Bursledon Tesco is being withdrawn.
Xelabus have also announced their Christmas and New Year arrangements. As the other operators announce their plans, we'll compile them all on our forthcoming changes page.
Wheelers W1 has an amendment from 29th December. No further details yet, but it might just be a suspension of the link to Chilworth Science Park over the New Year.
First have registered some changes to the timetables of routes 7, 12 and 13 from 3rd January. More as we get it.
One extra morning trip on the 12 and adjusting the timetable for the 13 to connect with Woodlands School.
ReplyDeleteI am wondering, with Xelabus withdrawing from Hedge End to Southampton, whether Wheelers, may take up the route, afterall, they have said it was always within their long term plans to develop a new route between the two centres, perhaps they can travel via Harefield to add competition to First.
ReplyDeleteAfraid so, Wheelers hasn't planned to develop new route between the two centres.
DeleteSo you will have no choice but to take the Bluestar No 3 and First No 8. Sorry!
I notice that Bluestar/Unilink have put their own timetables back on some of the bus stop flags around Southampton, replacing the green council printed mess
ReplyDeleteYes,it would seem there is no one in the council responsible for publishing these corporate timetables that can see what a mess it mostly all is.Also the electronic timetable displays in some shelters also suffer the same incompedent mess
DeleteLast time I was in City Centre, the electronic display in the shelter by Shopmobility was still not switch on. I suppose it's better than showing incorrect info!
DeleteSorry, should be 'switched'
ReplyDeleteDo the Southampton roadside sheets actually meet legibility criteria for those with sight issues? Why the awful green/blue background?
ReplyDeleteYes,they are absolutely,awful and more than likely the colour chosen is due to the fact that the council don't want to give the impression they favour one operator over another publicity wise.The layout and colour needs a drastic rethink by those responsible for it.Where it's in bus shelters the time cases are rather high in position and if you are a shortish person in height,it's near impossible to read.Asda in Southampton is a good example of this.
DeleteFrom what I've seen, Southampton City Council's 'corporate' colour is now this odd green so, as it's a council document, it would have to be the corporate livery. What's wrong with a palin white background with operator details in the operator's colours?
DeleteCity Red 7 is being increased! Not decreased!
ReplyDeleteIt's slightly decreased at peak times in each direction Monday to Friday,but increasing it from every supposed 8 minutes during the day to every 7 will be noticed by hardly anyone travelling on the service.As it's quite common for two or three buses to run together the customers will see no or at times very little to it's so called improvement.The timetable for the revised 7 is on Traveline and has been for sometime
DeleteFirst have announced on their website that the price of a Cityred 7 weekly ticket will rise from £5 to £8,taking effect from Sunday.I trust they will remove the Ad from their homepage advertising the £5 offer before Sunday.
DeleteThe ads are still up on their website for a £5 weekly ticket!I guess i`m going to have to report them to the ASA on Sunday then.
DeleteI wondered about their website ad too(Anon,@21.21)They don`t normally change their website at the weekend and if they are advertising the Cityred 7 weekly ticket for £5 online ,but charge £8,wihtout taking down the online ad.they could be done for misleading advertising!
ReplyDeleteNo doubt about it, but First in Southampton planners just can't stop tinkering around with timetables to their services. It's as though they suffer from some kind of disease.They have no idea of just how the general public who use their services are fed up with it all.
ReplyDeleteAnon, 08:58 - "They have no idea . . ." And don't care!
DeleteAll these people moaning on social media about First`s no.3 are probably still using it and moaning,rather than switch to Bluestar`s no.17!!
DeleteThe only thing First Southampton's planners suffer from is the inability to plan properly. The high level of change suggests someone senior continously gets it wrong. What is a surprise is that the Commercial Manager remains in post given the number of times he has got it wrong.
DeletePH0006159/399 - FIRST HAMPSHIRE & DORSET LTD, BUS DEPOT, EMPRESS ROAD, SOUTHAMPTON, SO14 0JW
ReplyDeleteRegistration Accepted
Starting Point: Portsmouth Gunwharf Quays
Finish Point: Southampton City Centre
Via: Fareham Bus Station , M27 motorway Service Number: X4A
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 10-JAN-2016
Other Details: Daily service
AS someone who has recently needed to bus regularly to the General Hospital,i`ve found Bluestar 17 to be a godsend!It is normally always on time,comfortable seats,polite drivers and reasonable fares.What`s not to like?
ReplyDelete"Normally Always" on time?!
DeleteIs it or isn't it?
The registration which appeared on 17 November at 18:39 is interesting. The same trip - or something very similar - has been tried in the past. I wonder if this is supposed to be fully commercial, or with assistance from Portsmouth or Southampton Councils.
ReplyDeleteChristmas 2015 and New Year Bluestar operating times for their services are now shown on their website,plus details of the launch of their new buses for service 18
ReplyDeleteBluestar have announced that they will have ten new buses for use on route 18.These new buses will be shown off at Guildhall square on Dec 3.The firm have also released their Christmas schedules.
ReplyDelete18* new buses not ten. Well there will be 18 in total, but only 16 Used on the route each day, and 2 spares.
DeleteI have heard from a driver today that the change to the Wheelers W1 service will mean that it won't be serving the Halterworth area of Romsey anymore. Instead, it will go straight up/down Botley Road. I've no idea whether this will also affect Abbotswood, as it currently goes there after Halterworth when going from Southampton to Romsey. It's potentially a big route change and could be a huge loss to Halterworth if it's not being replaced by another bus.
ReplyDelete