A major part of our local history has been commemorated by Unilink with the naming of one of their buses after one of the last survivors of the Titanic disaster. I'm always in favour of raising awareness of history, so well done Unilink!
Xelabus, fresh from their latest cuts, have produce a handy guide to all of their services in and around Eastleigh. You can take a look here.
And finally, the comments beneath my last post have raised a few eyebrows, with mentions of possible legal action for libel. As many of you have already commented, there is of course nothing on this site that could be considered libellous. The bus companies are free to leave a comment and from time to time they do use their right to reply, which I wholeheartedly welcome. Just to clarify: I have not been contacted by anyone asking me to close this blog down. Yes, I criticise the bus companies sometimes, where I believe it is due, but I and of course our regular commenters also praise them for the things they are doing right. This blog is written very much from a passenger's point of view and the whole point of it is to make it easier to people to use the buses, ultimately boosting profits for our local operators. I have no vested interests or commercial ties to any bus operator or local authority and that gives me the freedom to be truly impartial and comprehensive in my coverage. Occasionally I look at the Google search reports of what search terms are being typed in before people click through to this page and can honestly say that this page has become a first stop for people who are new to the area and don't know where to start when considering using our region's buses. How many of those maybes have become actual passengers we'll never know, but I'm confident it's made a difference. This blog has been running for nearly 4 years now and I'm proud of what it has become and will grow to be.
Bluestar really have dug themselves in a bit with the 8, I think any attempt to reduce the service back to it's original levels will certainly result in a backlash from passengers. Lets hope First was right and that the route does have some commercial value.
ReplyDeleteAs for the website, I think what you're doing is great, you provide information about what is a public service. I hope it continues to grow, it deserves too. I think the real issues come with the comments made here, I understand that people should be free to say what they want, but some people really need to be careful about what they say, somethings are just rude and insulting, whereas others are just spreading fake rumours. Though I do find reading the comments interesting, as some past posts do seem to have been true. Hopefully you never have to resort to comment moderation, thats the first step to most good sites closing down.
Keep up the good work SotonBus, thanks for putting in the effort.
Andy
"Xelabus, fresh from their latest cuts, have produce a handy guide to all of their services in and around Eastleigh."
ReplyDeleteDoes it have a 'Use by' date? :)
This is just the sort of silly comment that upsets the smaller companies. Why say that?? I am not linked with any company but come on lets discuss the routes in a more mature and constructive way. Whatever we think of operators STOP slating them and putting them down!!!
ReplyDeleteWith operators like Brijan, Xelabus and Velvet they are small family companies who deserve a pat on the back for running alternative services in a very difficult climate. It also ensures the big boys don't have a monopoly so don't be rude about them !! To finish with, one of the companies who is taking action has spoken to their solicitors and they are monitoring each of these messages. So do what you will but it is being monitored! Other sites around the country are also being looked at too. You might be surprised to know its First.
It's not silly. It's the truth. Xela are notorious for changing their services extremely frequently. The difference between these operators is the fact that Brijan and Velvet are pretty good, whereas Xelabus are not. Obviously, that's just my opinion... But it seems to be shared with many other people on here.
DeleteIf you truly aren't linked with any of the companies then how would you know that First are looking to take legal action? They wouldn't just go telling random people about that. Either you are linked with a company or you're spreading hear-say. Provide some facts and maybe i'll listen!
The person requesting people to stop slating bus companies is a complete moron and makes no sense.
DeleteAbsolute rubbish First would try to stop comments on this site, I spoke to one of their senior people today and he reads the site sometimes and finds the comments useful. I understand they have in the past shared information about service changes with sites like this in advance of publication to help with the stories.
DeleteThe person making such claims is either a troll or very gullible listening to gossip.
I really don't like the attitude of people on here and the last two show complete rudeness to the person who has contributed to this site.
DeleteIf a more constructive comment can't be made then don't say anything. I look on here for information but all I see is personal attacks.
Sorry but if you post anonymous rubbish then expect to be shot down in flames.
DeleteI was the one who made the "siily" post. It was meant to be flippant, but Google blog sites are smiley free. Clearly someone did not notice the emoticon for a smile.
ReplyDeleteHow earnest and Victorian- we are not amused some folk have become! A certain company may be having its mickey taken, but that is far from wishing unwell in fair competition.
Look at joke names of the past railways.
Slow Easy Comfortable; Late Never Early are just two.
Re the Hythe issue, I think First have told it pretty much how it is! A welcome outbreak of truth and not spin from them and others.
ReplyDeleteBluestar will do whatever is best for them; perhaps in this case after a suitable interval. Which might include the withdrawal of the 16 perhaps??
How strange its gone very quiet on here since it was stated operators are watching this site ???
ReplyDeleteIt hasn't gone that quiet. Why does it matter if operators are watching it anyway? What difference does that make at all?
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