Sunday 10 November 2019

News round-up

Yellow 21 launched last weekend between Christchurch and Bransgore via Somerford and Burton.

From today, First Discover D1 has a new timetable between Salisbury and Bath.

Xelabus have revealed their Christmas service levels. As usual, we'll compile Christmad and New Year service changes across all operators as and when they release details.

And from 17th November, Go South Coast (trading as Bluestar, More, Salisbury Reds, Southern Vectis and Damory) have a round of fare rises.



See all upcoming changes across the region at-a-glance here.

236 comments:

  1. Southern Vectis Christmas services are on their site now and in the winter timetable book.

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  2. Yellow buses have their Christmas and New Year services on their site now.

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  3. Bluestar 19 soon to extend to Lordshill in the new year

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    1. Someone who works at the Company mate and the route will be doing almost the same route as the 3

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    2. Also as we all know the 19 is also being increased to every 10 minutes

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    3. Via Hill Lane I hope

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  4. no reece they are not extending it because the 17 does the 3 route why would they duplicate one of there own routes for

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    1. IF it did extend to Lordshill no doubt it would along Lordshill way but up till then would be interesting to see

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    2. If that was the case then it would be exactly the same as the 3, unless it runs via Tremona/Dale Road instead of Warren Avenue

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    3. Apart from the 19 wont go through Ocean Village

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  5. The problem with Reece is He seems to believe all the gossip He hears.All We know at present is that the 19 is likely to be increased in frequency in the New Year

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  6. All quite predictable really.The fares go up and the service gets worse due to conjestion problems most of the day.Still someone has to pay for under half empty buses running round on some routes most of the day

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    1. On what basis is congestion predicted to be worse, due to a fare fare increase? If what you are saying were correct, the CR1 should be charging £20 per ride!

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  7. I can now finally see some packed City Red 1 buses on Sunday as a Women's Football match is being played at AFC Totton stadium with a big crowd of 2,000 expected to be at the big match for Women's Football Weekend.

    And yes I plan to attend the match.

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  8. Empty Vs full up buses? Saw an empty First 3 just behind a half full no 17 approaching Above Bar stop earlier.
    Swings & roundabouts...

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    1. I had some spare time today, so watched the progress of the CR1. I saw 7 going outbound and 8 inbound, around the Millbrook area late afternoon. Loadings were pitiful with 23 passengers in total. Saw one bus with 7 on, but eleven of them were completely empty. Every Bluestar that I saw had big loadings, one with standing passengers too. First seem to be failing to scratch at the surface of this route. How long they can sustain these financial losses is anyone's guess.

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    2. I have never yet seen big loadings on Bluestar vehicles in the Millbrook/Totton area during the off peak let alone any with standing passengers.First seem quite happy with their CR1 and if they wish to sustain a financial loss if that's what happening,it's up to them and no one elses business

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    3. 12 Nov 00:25 anon I'm glad I'm not the only one on here who wants first bus To do well in Totton and Calmore - Thanks for the support mate

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    4. Reece anon at 00:25 never said that plus First wont dont well as Totton and Calmore are not big earners for anyone

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    5. It is other peoples business if First make a loss on Cityred 1 as it will be the poor people who rely on their other services who will see their fares rise again to fund it all.

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    6. Well there you go.someone has to fund it all

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    7. Someone tell anon @00:25 then.

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    8. I'm sure anon @0025 is well aware of this fact but it's the bus companies problem not anyone elses.even if all services were profitable you would still get fare rises due to other factors

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    9. Not as frequently as the recent rises in the Portsmouth area though which suggests that they are having to subsidise this pointless battle in Southampton.

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    10. Fares in the Portsmouth area and in Fareham and Gosport have always been quite high.However in Portsmouth they do have competetion with Stagecoach,which must affect them to a small degree.As they don't publish any figures no one knows only the management at First

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    11. Stagecoach don`t compete with First in Portsmouth like Bluestar do in Southampton.

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    12. No.Much more common sense in Portsmouth between the operators

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  9. Wheelers driver goes under low bridge in Andover - https://www.andoveradvertiser.co.uk/news/18030378.bus-roof-ripped-off-passing-bridge/

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  10. Mortons one too few days ago......

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  11. A Swindon Bus driver has been seen on the Bluestar 18 lately - Eastleigh Depot must be short of Drivers

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    1. Reece -I saw a driver on the 18 with a Southern Vectis jacket on so they are pulling in drivers from elsewhere.

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    2. Yes they are expected to be here till Christmas same with the ones from Swindon Bus Company

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    3. It would seem a shortage of bus drivers with all the major companies in the area who are forever advertising for new drivers in looking at their various websites

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    4. Anonymous at 11:07 First let alot of theirs go

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    5. More than likely many who were under old conditions so hey could take new ones on under revised conditions

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    6. Some are still there my mate who works at First Southampton who I have known since 2014 Has been at the Company since 1975.

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    7. Exceptions Reece I'm sure.More than likely First would like a brand new complete staff they could employ their current conditions on as wouldmany other operators

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    8. Except Reece in 1975 it wouldn't of been First

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    9. No much better in 1975 Shame about 2019

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    10. It still counts as 45 years of service mate and first still give certificates to drivers who have worked 40 years mate.

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    11. So they might do,but at the end of the day I suspect they are glad to see the back of them and all their old habbits

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    12. It's cheaper to have newer drivers as they don't get paid for all hours worked and no paid breaks

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    13. Just what I stated.they like new staff as it's cheaper.they have no interest in long term employees who in some instances are just a pain to them.Loyalty counts for nothing in todays world you are justva number

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    14. I find some of the drivers who have worked a long time are not so good with passengers after a while, Although some of them are ok

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  12. Xelabus,Yellow buses,Morebus and Southern Vectis have all put out their Christmas schedules so far.

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    1. Come on Bluestar stop dragging your heels and announce your Christmas plans just like your sister companies have.

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    2. Why would you want to know six weeks in advance Christmas and New Year bus operations.A few weeks before is plenty enough time for anyone

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    3. Please do I want to know what routes I can ride on Christmas Morning before I do my family commitments.

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    4. Still deciding whether to run the 17 or 18 on Christmas Day probably.

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    5. Well Reece you know what routes will operate by Bluestar which will be the 18 Christmas Day and possibaly the 1 again so why all the fuss?

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    6. I done this last Christmas Day and I must admit I enjoyed this occasion.

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    7. https://www.bluestarbus.co.uk/christmas

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    8. Exactly just as I thought, Christmas Day 18 and 1 on the same routes as Last year.
      Sunday service on Boxing Day except 6.
      The only thing I didn't expect is that the 7 is running on New Years Day (Only between Sholing and City) even though there is no mention of it on the website, it shows on the special timetables.

      Now let's see what First is going to do. I'm almost certain
      Early Finish about 7pm on Xmas Eve and New Years Eve
      No service Christmas Day and New Years Day
      30 minute service on 1,2,3,7,11

      Just like always

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    9. on Boxing Day for the 30 minute service on 1,2,3,7,11 I meant to put

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    10. First had a limited Sunday service on Boxing day last year

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  13. BS replied to someone on Twitter y'day saying that both the 17 & 19 will be running half hourly on NYDay, & that full timetables will be out soon.

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    1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    2. Reece please don't use my name

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    3. Reece I don't like my name being pubish on the internet please don't put names as it's not respectful

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  14. No buses should run xmas day or boxing day. Shops should remain closed. This should be family time

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    1. Drivers do volunteer to work Christmas Day and Boxing Day, Don't forget Boxing Day is a day for Football as well

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    2. Anonymous at 11:58 christmas day buses have run for years in London

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    3. TFL Don't run buses on Christmas Day

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    4. In reply to anon 14th @ 1158 Everyday should be a family day not just Chriistmas.However this is not the case.Would you expect Hospital staff,police,fire service have the day off as well.If shops wan't to open why sholudn't they or for that matter if people wan't to work why should anyone wish to stop them

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    5. Very selfish of you and perhaps spare a thought for shop workers working for greedy firms like Next who start sales at 6am on Boxing day meaning the staff can`t properly enjoy Christmas Day just cause some saddo`s can`t cope with the shops being closed for more than one day.

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    6. Nothing selfish at all.You don't live in the real world just because you don't wan't to work others might and you seem to think everone lives happy families well they don't

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    7. That`s all very well if working on Christmas Day and Boxing Day is on a voluntary basis but not forced to have your family Christmas ruined just so some sad person can save a couple of quid on some junk they probably don`t need anyway in a Boxing day sale.

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    8. No one forces anyone to work on Christmas or Boxing Day.don't have a clue where you think this happens.all bus operations are volentary and not rotared.Many people are more than happy working these days.You need to come into todays real world instead of the fantacy world of happy families you are in

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    9. Yes those working in shops are normally forced to work Boxing Day.

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    10. They arn't forced to do anything. What nonsense

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    11. No, they are not forced. They are just told to find alternative employment if they choose not to work.

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    12. What a charming person you are-NOT!

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    13. I wonder what world anon 15th @ 0803 lives in.People being told to find other employment if they choose not to work.Never read so much rubbish.No decent employer would ever tell a staff member this.The Employer would have the book thrown at them in 2019

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    14. What do you mean? The employer might not say it in quite that way, but nonetheless if a retailer rosters someone to work on Boxing Day and the employee 'chooses not to work', as you put it, then yes the employee probably will find themselves out of a job. So the effect is exactly what anon 0803 says.

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    15. When the person was first employed they would have been made aware of the conditions as to the fact they would at sometimes have to work on certain days such as Boxing Day or New Years Day so should not be surprised if they are rotared to work.it's why in this Country we need workers from other Countries due to the fact that the British in some cases won't work in certain jobs where someone from elsewhere will

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    16. Or maybe we just need retailers to return to treating people like human beings rather than just grabbing money. If they want to be open on Boxing Day they should pay enough so that enough of their staff will volunteer to work. Double time or even more used to be the norm, but that has mostly been swept away as employment contracts have been euphemistically 'updated' or 'modernised' and now most businesses just force people instead.

      We also need a return to more sensible trading hours. The only people required to be at work at 6am on Boxing Day should be those providing truly essential services, not shop workers.

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    17. Oh anon (16 Nov 15:34) you seem to live such a sheltered life.

      I work in the city centre in retail. Today I have been told that my shift on Monday will now be three hours earlier in both start and finish due to a 'change in business needs' that is 48 hours notice.

      If I refused, my job would be made so untenable that I would be essentially forced to leave.

      I have been told that I should expect to not be asked to work on Boxing Day, but at the same time I will not know for sure until Monday 21st December. I can not plan my Christmas because it can change with minimal notice.

      So what world am I on? This 'charming person' is on Real World.

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    18. In for a long day on Monday then.I trust they pay you for the six extra hours

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    19. No. It's a three hour earlier start and a three hour earlier finish.

      No additional pay.

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    20. In today’s real world a lot of us in retail are on zero hours contract. I work for a well known high street retailer where I don’t what shifts I will be doing until the week before, the same goes for Boxing Day.. I have been told that I cannot request the day off and if I am given a shift and don’t work it then I shouldn’t expect further shifts after Christmas

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    21. Anon at 1534 you clearly are not in the real world. Even the 'wonderful' Bluestar/Unilink are telling staff they are in the wrong job if they dont like the shifts or have need help with family commitments. And while Christmas work is volunteers first, the work is allocated if there are not sufficient willing workers.

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    22. Buses are slightly different to shops in this surely. Buses are a service that people need to use for a whole variety of different reasons such as getting to and from their own workplaces. Therefore many people do need to use buses at times when bus drivers themselves might not want to be working. But if your job is to provide a service that people rely on then you do have to be prepared to provide it whenever people need it, even if they aren't your preferred working hours. If it was up to some drivers buses would only run Monday to Friday daytimes!

      On the other hand people don't rely on high street shops in the same way and no one really 'needs' them to be open on Boxing Day!

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    23. I'm sick of reading all these stupid comments on working hours.If you don't want to work unusual shifts then find a job which doesn't have them.get real just because you don't want to work at 6am in the morning or 11pm at night others do as it suits them.If you don't want to work at Christmas find somewhere where you don't have to or don't bother to work just stay at home and let those who don't mind have a job to earn some money.It's the same as some bus drivers who have an attitude they shold only work Monday to Friday between 0900 and 1700-What world do they live in,certainly not the real one.The British worker 2019 any excuse for not having to work that's why we need Europeans in large numbers in the UK who will work and not winge about hours they being just to gratefull to earn a salary

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    24. Don't read the comments if they make you sick then.

      I don't think anyone, especially I, was saying they did not want to work the hours they are expected to work.

      What I said was that, contrary to the anon poster (16 Nov 15:34) observes through his rose tinted glasses, some retail and services employers treat staff badly and treat them with contempt.

      I have worked full time for all but 8 weeks since the Summer of 1999, so yes, I am 'using any excuse not to work' as you say.

      Maybe you would prefer to go read the Conservative Party manifesto so you get less enraged at people who get pittance to serve you.

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  15. Interesting to note that Salisbury Reds are running a normal weekday timetable on the weekdays over Christmas unlike Bluestar and Morebus.

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  16. It's nice to see the 1X will be running on Christmas Day

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  17. What a good level of service running by BS over Xmas.

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  18. About the same as last year.should be acceptable to most

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  19. Anyone know anything about January Yellow Buses changes?

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    1. They are becoming Green Buses.

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    2. There's a minor change to the 1 1a 1b to operate an additional journey to and from Burton in the morning to bring school children to Christchurch.
      Ken Traveline

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  20. Five stars to Bluestar for still operating a bus which couldn`t take fares as the ticket machine was broken today on the 17.

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    1. First do this as well

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    2. "oooh mee, pick meee, don't forget First, wooo, over here! First are still here, heeellooo *waves* "

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    3. Haha very funny

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  21. Seems in My travels to be lots of issues with ticket machines at times.The main ones being they won't acknowledge certain OAP pases that are perfectly valid or won't accept bank card payments from valid cards.So much time lost at stops with faulty ticket machines.Noted so many would be payers have free rides due to these issues

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    1. Anyone that does not have a card working is supposed to visit the Gateway for a free replacement

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    2. Why would they when it works on 9 out of 10 buses.Not the card that's faulty but the ticket machine

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    3. Not just faulty ticket machines- other day in town the 18 driver realised he's so late, so he waved everyone past saying don't worry! Nothing wrong with his machine!

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    4. Is it because the ticket machine has trouble polling the live database? Maybe a signal dead spot?

      I can't imagine that cards and machines solely hold the data for every element of each ticket.

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    5. Yes.In the past this has happened when I have been on an 18.Seems certain drivers make up their own rules

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    6. After an online purchase the ticket machine needs a few more seconds to process information and not all drivers seem to realise this
      - also waving passengers on Unilink buses is so predictable that some people plan their journeys to take advantage of the free rides on offer

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    7. Certain Councils throughout England issue new passes but do not update the ECNT database these passes therefore dont register on Ticket machines until the database is updated

      Normally when a contactless bank card is not accepted is as a result of either a previous issue with your bank ie a replacement card or you are required to enter a pin (this happens on a regular basis in shops and is a safeguard from your bank to avoid contactless card fraud) as ticket machines on buses are not capable of having a pin entered they do not accept the card until this has been done either at an atm or in store

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  22. Did anyone watch the Southampton FC Women yesterday?

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    1. No.As it's got nothing to do with any bus operators in what changes they might be making so not relevent to this website

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    2. Reece - lets keep this site about buses please

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    3. I was planning to say despite a crowd of 835 only 2 fans used the City Red 1 Back to Southampton

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    4. Popular the 1 with the fans then

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    5. No one was waiting for the 12 either it was a day for the cars

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    6. Yes.Most people travel by car now as the bus service is in most cases unreliable and with a car you don't have to hang about wondering whether it will turn up or not as it's always to hand

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    8. I'm sure I would still use the 1 to attend the Football mate

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    9. And no I don't go on the City Red 1 that much

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    10. Nor does anyone else hence the reason it`s a huge failure.

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  23. First has released their Christmas timetables and as you can probably guess; there are no surprises.

    In both areas there is the usual Saturday Service between Christmas and New Year.
    On Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, Saturday Service with an 8pm finish.
    NO SERVICE Christmas Day and New Years Day (there should be really some service on New Years Day)

    Boxing Day in Southampton is a 20 minute service on their favourite routes, the 1,2,3,7,11 between 8am-6pm

    Boxing Day in Portsmouth/Fareham is a 30 minute service on their favourite routes, the 1,2,3,7,E1/E2 between 8am-7pm (thought the 8 might have been running too)

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    1. Last year on boxing day they were every 15 minutes

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    2. Bluestar return to normal service on Jan 2 unlike First who still retain a Saturday service.

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    4. Not at all matey they deserve a break once in a while drivers not having to work on New Years day or Boxing Day.

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    5. Or Christmas Day for that matter

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    6. Yet Reece you seem quite happy for Bluestar staff to work.So they don't need a break then?

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    7. Umm they volunteer

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  24. Yet another year where Bluestar will be providing an excelent service over Christmas and New Year for many of its potential customers

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    1. Picking up all the First passengers deserted by their operator on New Year`s day.

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  25. These driver recruitment open days First have if there so successful why do they keep having them

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  26. They keep having them to show how successful they are

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    1. ….At attracting drivers.NOT!

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    2. Or passengers for that matter

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  27. Saw a First 1 down at Town Quay earlier (in service - blind saying so, lights on, no passengers). It went westbound until the Mayflower roundabout before going back the other way. Presumably got a bit confused with the Santa diversion.

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  28. Unilink are operating the U1 for the first time on New Year`s Day this time round and a special service on Boxing Day.

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  29. Just waiting on slowcoach Stagecoach to announce their Christmas plans now.

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    1. They're out.
      Mostly Saturday Service over the period
      No Service Christmas Day
      And Sunday Service on Boxing Day and New Years Day (except no service on the Salisbury Reds Activ8).

      Pretty much one of the better service levels. (No prizes for the worst!)

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    2. Ah couldn`t find it on their site anywhere.

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    3. More than likely don't want anyone to know

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    4. Are you excited for the new First Bus Route to Winchester starting up in 2020?

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    5. Only you Reece would be excited by this plus a very few others.What a thought having to ride a Streetlite to Winhester and back

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    6. The plan is for Refurbshed Volvos to be used on the Route with the buses coming from another depot

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    7. A few Volvo V40s should be about right for their potential loadings.

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  30. The new First Route for Winchester In 2020 expected to possibly be given route number 4 or 5 with 10 being the preferred number

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    1. Totton and Calmore is one thing but Winchester is over an hour trip one way which would not fit into what First have at the moment, next you will be saying they are trying to take on stage coach in Winchester

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    2. Nothing is stopping first running this new route I'm also told a part of the m3 will be used as well as serving Winchester Train Station

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  31. It's just not going to happen First are not going to run to Winchester. It'd be like Bluestar running to Fareham, that's unlikely to happen as well.

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    1. It's possible to happen as well as Hamble which is currently being looked at mate.

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    2. As you are so well informed about what First will be doing in 2020 perhaps you could enlighten all on this site who don't have such information

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    3. What I have been told by various sources is that the Winchester Route is defantly happening next year timetable still to be finalised But expected to serve Winchester Train Station and possibly a part of the M3

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    4. Reece, many have looked at the route in the past and everyone has said that it is a no go. Bluestar are far too strong to compete with as they have superior vehicles and a fantastic frequency. First would be totally crackers to even think about it. More lies from First to try to keep their drivers motivated. They will need to do something with their resources once they scrap the CR1, but it won't be Winchester.

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    5. Anon at 10:35 like I said in my reply to Reece above next he will be saying First are going to take over Winchester bus station from Stage coach

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    6. Actually it's the council that owns the Bus Station Aaron my friend

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    7. Never said they did but its Stage Coach who runs it and that's the way it will stay, all I will say is First should just come with their own routes instead of just trying to out do Bluestar

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    8. Perhaps Bluestar should also come up with their own routes instead of poaching on First routes

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    9. Here Reece, is this new route Winchester to Fareham via Hamble and Wickham?

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    10. I do not know those exact details mate

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    11. Awwww come on. You are not good at grilling these anonymous sources are you?

      I heard it was every 20 minutes Winchester to Gamble and every hour extended through Whiteley, Wickham, Highlands Road and Fareham.

      Partly replaces so many different local services but also provides new connections.

      (/s)

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    12. Passengers don't care about the age of a bus they just want a reliable service that has friendly drivers which is clearly the case on City Red 1, When I asked on the Totton Facebook Group what passengers though of the City Red 1 they all told me they love the bus route with its friendly drivers these passengers don't care about the age of the bus at all what so ever.

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    13. The thing is Reece people also like choice and Bluestar win that hands down and your not 100% correct when it comes to vehicles because I've seen people moan about the street lites

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    14. It's the enthusiasts that moan about them passengers are just happy to have a bus that runs. Go ahead also have them in Salisbury and in Greater London

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    15. Love your attempted comeback about the CR1 Reece, but I can tell you for certain that the majority of users are unlikely to know what Facebook is! There are lots of people who get very unhappy that First drivers flog them a return ticket, knowing full well that they are operating one of the last trips of the day. I was travelling on a Bluestar 12 late trip the other night when a passenger got on attempting to use a red return. The driver obviously refused the ticket and when the passenger asked if he knew when the next red bus was due, it was quite funny to hear that it would be about eight hours time. Naturally the passenger paid the single fare home vowing never to use the red "cheats" again. It also happened on the way back from the Totton match last week! As for friendly drivers, have you seen the lady driver who has never smiled at anyone in her life? She looks as if she absolutely hates her job.

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    16. I don't think GSC have any streetlites in Salisbury Reece. Are you sure you are not thinking about the earlier E200s with the same smiley face windscreen? Certainly they have them in Swindon though, as they inherited them from the previous operator. I am sure it will be the same when the takeover of First in this area is concluded.

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    17. Yes mate I meant Swindon my bad

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    18. Is the driver you onabout one of the 1 route regular drivers

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    19. There is a young girl at first who I can safly say does not like the job from what I have seen she is defantly not good with passengers that's for sure hardly speaks to any passengers at all.

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    20. In reply to 23 Nov @0025,She did smile once and they removed her from the bus and rushed Her to the Genera Hospital for surgeons to remove the smile

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  32. Anonymous at 14:20 Bluestar already had the 18 when CR 2 was extended, the 19 granted I dont have a clue what they are doing with and the 17 was originally started because Lower Brownhill no longer had a direct bus to the hospital at the time, the extension to Weston was the only logical place they could extend it to and the 7 was originally started to give Sholing a Sunday service

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    1. Aaron, you make no sense, Anon at 1420 makes no mention of anything you are challenging.

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    2. They said about poaching on First routes

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    3. Aaron, the post at 1420 said "Here Reece, is this new route Winchester to Fareham via Hamble and Wickham?"

      No mention of poaching...

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  33. Bluestar 7 was started because First withdrew their 5 in Sholing.Nothing to do with giving Sholing a Sunday service

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    1. Started off being hourly with a 2 hour gap half way through the Sunday service so the driver could have his/her break

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  34. It would be 100% commercial suicide for First to run Southampton to Winchester: they can't possibly hope to compete on any ground - Bluestar have the market covered.

    Frequency:
    Bluestar are already every 15 mins and could easily go to every 10 mins commercially.

    Quality
    Bluestar are using the best buses in Hampshire on the 1...

    Price
    Some room for manoeuvre here, but not enough for modal switch that would be required, I feel.

    Journey time
    It's already the most direct route - without going limited stop, which wouldn't work (all of the stops are well used); or running via Motorway, which is pointless as train offers quickest end-to-end journey (what's more, few B81 passengers actually travel the full length of the route).

    As for this nonsense of a Winchester to Hamble every 20 and hourly to Fareham... get a grip people..!

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    1. Andi - I fear the Winchester - Hamble - Fareham offer was missing some sarcasm tags.

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    2. Disagree with Andi North. The best way to attack a competitor is on it's best route. Very easy to cream off reasonable loads. Southampton - Chandlers Ford - Eastleigh - Fair Oak could do quite well.

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  35. Whiteley to Winchester every 20 mins via Botley once the extension of Bluebell way in Whiteley onto the Botley road is completed; building now. Do not forget North Whiteley will see 3500 homes all on WCC land. Develpoers money will probably pay for it

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    1. I can see some of the logic in the Route, but not the frequency.

      If First were running it then I can see it tieing into - and possibly enhancing - the current Fareham to Whiteley service.

      The other side of the coin though is that the 28 and it's predecessors have never been that successful.

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    2. Why do people on this site post so much rubbish?

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    3. Because the owner of SBU allows it to happen

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    4. Anon @ 1332 - Why do you need to berate someone for having an opinion?

      Why do you simply make a statement about something rather than enter debate and conversation?

      Or are you not capable of that?

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    5. No point in a debate when so many post loads of rubbish about things such as Winchester to Fareham etc via Hamble.These people live in cloud cuccoo land.I can only debate with those who post sensible suggestions.However if you are happy to engage with them you are welcome

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    6. I think actually you misunderstood the Winchester to Fareham via Hamble. It was a bit of sarcasm that there are some people on here who believe anything.

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    7. Exactly.Don't post rubbish as many believe it.keep to reality in what's happening.This site was once a good forum now destroyed by rubbish postings

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  36. Bluestar will be getting more of my custom during the pointless South Western Railway 27 day strike as GWR are so unreliable and a total joke.

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    1. Both SWR and GWR are a joke.However the Government seem quite happy how they are both run.Don't see any future change coming along to address the situation

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    2. All bus companies will recieve extra custom as a result of train strikes

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  37. Did anyone see Yellow Buses out and about in Southampton today

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    Replies
    1. How exciting for you Reece As no postings on this site very few did.So a non event

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    2. It was on Rail Replacement

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  38. As expected and already has been talked about on here before, First is going to increase their Southampton weekly ticket to £9 from Sunday.

    Can't say I'm surprised really.

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    Replies
    1. I said that last mth, that First will probably follow suit with price increase!

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  39. Both operators work hand in glove on somethings

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  40. Of course they do and always have done

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    Replies
    1. They are competing with each other on routes though

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    2. Also compete on tickets as well.

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    3. I would not of known that.Thanks for keeping us all informed

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    4. Your welcome buddy

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    5. What you whoosing for matey :)

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    6. More than likely at some of your replies

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