There's a lot to catch up on across the region, so let's get cracking.
A new route starts in Fareham on Saturday:
First W1 will be a Saturday-only shopper service between the town centre and
Whiteley Village. In Fareham it will pick up from
stop D at the Bus Station and
stop Q at the Railway Station. Here's the timetable:
...and here's where the
W1 stops in Whiteley, as well as an idea of what's there:
From our end, you can get to Fareham on
First X4/
X5 using a
FirstDay Hampshire ticket at £6 for an adult, which is also valid on the
W1, or you could take the train to Fareham and buy a
Fareham Plusbus ticket with your train tickets for use on the
W1. On weekdays, you can get to Whiteley on
First 28/28A (
timetable), but be careful as the last bus back to Fareham is at 1859, while on Saturdays the last
W1 leaves Whiteley at 2310.
Many routes are changing right across the region in the first week of September. We don't have all of the details yet, but here's a summary of what we do know:
- Xelabus: X3 withdrawn. X6 rerouted to serve Asda. Other changes on X4, X7 and X9. Full details here.
- First: Changes to Southampton routes X4, X5, 2, 7, 9, 10, 13 and Portsmouth/Fareham routes X4, X5, 3, 7, 16, 17, 18, F1.
- Bluestar: Changes to routes 6, 8, 9.
- Wheelers: Changes to routes 16, 87/87A, W16
- More: Changes to routes X1, X2.
- Salisbury Reds: Changes to routes R4, X5, X7/X7R, 66
- Stagecoach: 6A, 46 and 63 withdrawn. Changes to 21, 36, 37, 66, 67, 69, 85, 86. New routes 68 and 691.
- Yellow: 41 withdrawn, changes to 26/26A.
We'll have more on those as we get it and in our monthly regional round up.
And finally, our region is lucky to have one of the most scenic bus routes in the country,
More 50 between Bournemouth and Swanage. It's so noteworthy that our sister website,
Great British Bus Routes, has covered it. But
the Telegraph reports that it's been blighted by rude pensioners who think nothing of pushing children out of the way in order to bag the best seats. Maybe
More could consider allowing fare payers to board first before those with free passes.
It would seem Stagecoach will still operate two journeys in each direction on service 46 from September 2016 looking at registrations during September.
ReplyDeleteAt Swanage intending pax wait well before the bus is due to depart and the narrow pavement becomes congested, and that gives cheats the opportunity. I've had to express a few "Oy Mates".
ReplyDeleteAn orderly boarding is not helped, I think, by the chance that the driver will often, from my limited observation arrive to take over last minute or late.
My travels have never been in the top peak season, so what it must be like then goodness knows. As to kids not getting front seats. That little cubicle on top can be a bake oven, I think to be avoided!
I knew there would be loads of changes from September,as it`s been so quiet lately!
ReplyDeleteNot surprising as most are to do with changes to School/College services by most operators.
DeletePH0006159/274 - FIRST HAMPSHIRE & DORSET LTD, BUS DEPOT, EMPRESS ROAD, SOUTHAMPTON, SO14 0JW
ReplyDeleteCancellation Accepted: Operating between Eastleigh and Hedge End given service number A effective from 29-Oct-2016.
From a comment I overheard on the 36, Stagecoach is losing the schooldays only journeys. Traveline already has the post-September showing the remaining journeys to be unchanged.
ReplyDeletePerhaps First will pull the plug on the ailing Cityred 10 in September.Must cost them a fortune.
ReplyDeleteMust be doing quite well I would have thought,if they can afford to offer such a cheap weekly ticket
DeleteCheap ticket deals were intended to take customers from Bluestar 18!It does not mean it`s doing well!
DeleteWhy would First give up the CityRed 10 service it's doing very well with passenger numbers?
ReplyDeleteYes,most trips carry at least 4 to 6 passengers,an absolute roaring success
DeleteNot when i`ve seen it!
DeleteIf you call a bus which pulls into Bitterne and pulls away with just three passengers on board,doing well,then what`s doing badly?
DeleteBluestar 16....................
DeletePH1121126/198 - GO SOUTH COAST LTD T/A SOUTHERN VECTIS, 2-8 PARKSTONE ROAD, POOLE, BH15 2PR
ReplyDeleteVariation Accepted: Operating between Southampton ,West Quay and Langley Farm/ Calshot Beach given service number 9 effective from 11-Sep-2016. To amend Route and Timetable.
PH1121126/200 - GO SOUTH COAST LTD T/A SOUTHERN VECTIS, 2-8 PARKSTONE ROAD, POOLE, BH15 2PR
Variation Accepted: Operating between Romsey Bus Station and Boyatt Wood given service number 5 effective from 12-Sep-2016. To amend Timetable.
It's nice to note that for some considerable time now the Xelabus site has been showing service alterations from September 2016 and advance warning of more possible changes in late October because EBC is reviewing it's tendered services.As yet I have seen no information from any other operator that might be affected by EBC changes giving the slightest hint as to a possible change.
ReplyDeleteHearing many rumours First are dropping MORE services and only keeping City Red Routes , Such a shame no wonder Southampton is congested. So many routes have disappeared since first took over . Have heard that Bluestar will take on First 6/8 & 12 . The west of Southampton has lost many routes and Hill Lane area has pretty much been left without a service apart from X11 & U9 which are Part time and U6 which takes near on hour to the city . Which deters passengers for city.
ReplyDelete