On the days it runs, there are only two journeys anyway, with a gap of 67 minutes in the city centre before the last 6A runs back to Abbotts Barton. Useful for shopping maybe, but not much else. Note also how short the route appears to be...
The northernmost stop, Colley Close, is 1.5 miles from the bus station, which is about a 32 minute walk. This route must fill in some pretty big gaps in Stagecoach's commercial network to justify the council subsidy...
But no, Stagecoach's frequent Spring service runs along Worthy Road on its way to and from Springvale every 20 mins Mon-Sat daytimes and hourly evenings & Sundays. It's supplemented by the 67, which has between 4 and 6 journeys each way Mon-Sats although this is also being reduced in February.
So the point of the 6A seems to be to cater to people on the side roads off of Worthy Road who for whatever reason can't walk the short distance to Worthy Road to catch the Spring. As few of them are likely to be fare payers, I have a feeling more cuts will come to this route.
Is anyone going to the Chatty bus event at Eastleigh on Tuesday
ReplyDeleteI`m sure you`ll go Reece.
DeleteWhy's that will any nice looking women be there
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteThat comment is unacceptable. You may not be aware, but over ninety five percent of our population does not go out on a Saturday night!
DeleteFor your information people could go clubbing and still use Southampton Bus Update at the same time if they wanted to.
DeleteI don't imagine those who do go out on Saturday night would be in the romotest interest in Southampton Bus update,whilst they are out
DeleteUnless it's me on A night out
DeleteNorthlands Drive (Abbott's Road and Stoke Road bus stops) is quite steep so those with mobility issues or a lot of shopping may struggle on The Spring - otherwise you'd be right that most people in Hyde and Abbotts Barton travel on The Spring.
ReplyDeleteQuite understandable dropping from 3 days a week to 2.
Less understandable is the reduction to the 63 (which interworks with the 6A) as that has no alternative service(s) from Owselbury through to Twyford & parts of Shawford (Bluestar 1 runs close to Shawford).
Oliver's Battery will also see a cut to just two days a week - most people living in the eastern end of the village walk to the Oliver's Battery Road South stop (served by the King's city 5) but others in the village may not be able to do so!
Sometimes makes you wonder why Councils subsidise services that are almost pointless,whilst some others that are useful get cut.Still that's poloticians for you,of whom most don't have a clue.Why we vote for them heaven knows,you only have to look at the Brexit mess and wonder what they are trying to create.
ReplyDeleteThe majority of passengers on the 6a are in the winter of there lives so very little on board revenue is taken
ReplyDeleteOn the Daily Echo news website Police are appealing for witnesses after a man exposed himself on a bus on Portswood Rd on Friday lunchtime.Daily Echo fail to mention details of the bus operator and route.
ReplyDeleteNothing to do with the headline, but some breaking news from Bluestar, courtesy of my driver friend....
ReplyDeleteThey will announce later this week that they are having a fare revision from 10th of next month. The boring bit says that "most" single fares will increase by 10 pence, with returns going up 20p. You can bet that where they have competition, not much will change. Most daily and weekly passes will increase, with a weekly network going up to 26 pounds on paper tickets only. The big news is that both the 6 and 10 pound weekly tickets are gone, to be replaced by a single 8 pound ticket! This will really test First, as this ticket is available to be used only on the routes where the two operators clash. That is the blue 7, 16, 17 and 18. Will First stick with their 6 pound weekly through Shirley and Millbrook, or will they follow suit? Will they allow themselves to be beaten on price on their 3, 7 and 11 routes?
This sounds like a bit of a gamble by the blues, but looks to be risking a loss on part of the 18, to make gains on the other 3 routes. My guess is that First will simply match it all, so as not to lose more ground. I cannot see them getting head office support to better any of the deals, and dent their revenues much further. The cynic in me wonders whether this is exactly what Bluestar are hoping, in that it will weaken First by another notch?
It makes sense finishing with the £6 ticket, as well as with the £10 ticket and replacing with an £8.
DeleteSimplifies the ticketing, at the same time it competes well with First and their £10/£11(on bus) weekly ticket. The increases are not shocking either. I also think that it will be an increase across GSC and not just in Bluestar, otherwise if they just increase in one company, with the app, you could buy a cheaper network ticket with More, for example, and use it across the region, for less.
I hope with this increase, they can keep and improve services across the region.
No, it is not possible to buy a network from an adjoining operator, and then use it on Bluestar. You could however buy an explorer for use across GSC. The network tickets are unique to each operation within the group.
Delete@anon I'm not sure where you're gettiong that from but it's incorrect. The Morebus website describes Network ticktes as "Unlimited bus travel on any more, Damory, bluestar, unilink, Salisbury Reds bus right across the South Coast (except night buses)." And this also applies for the rest of GSC, except Southern Vectis presumably. So one could quite easily do as Claudio suggests. I have used these tickets myself on a different brand to the one on which they purcahsed and they scanned correctly on the ticket machine every time.
DeleteI admit that my answer was incomplete. If you buy a ticket ABC from More you can use it in Southampton or Swindon. If just Southampton increases prices it will be cheaper to do it that way, buying a more ticket on the app and the app only. Of course you can’t use an M1/M2 to use in Southampton. Apologies guys
DeleteI think the confusion arose with GSCs naming. On Bluestar, the ticket that covers GSC's operating area is called "Network". On more, it's "Zone ABC" ticket. Salisbury Reds call it "Explorer". Damory don't offer any others, so just call it a day or period ticket.
DeleteDay tickets are printed as "Explorer" on ALL GSC brands. Period tickets are printed as "Network" on most (IIRC on More they print as "Network zone ABC"). Either way they're all valid across GSC so it would make sense if they're priced the same.
DeleteBluestar have a day ticket known as the "Bluestar & Unilink network" day ticket. It costs £7.50 which plugs a gap between the Southampton Plus dayrider (£5.80) and the Go South Coast Explorer (£8.80).
DeleteThe Bluestar and Unilink network ticket is only available as a day ticket - so the longer period tickets (week, month & year) versions are known as Network (and not Explorer) tickets even though they cover the entire GSC network (except Southern Vectis).
A tad confusing and should be simplified, IMO.
I (a driver) was recently asked for a "Getaway" ticket. This used to be a one day ticket for all Wilts & Dorset and Damory bus services.
DeleteWeren't Getaway tickets valid on solent blue line too? I'm sure I remember using them in the 90s for a day out from swaythling to Bournemouth. Slightly cheaper than the Explorer which back then was also valid on Stagecoach and People's Provincial.
DeleteYes anon 30 Jan 2019-0002-Some people do post misleading information don't they
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThey are accepted, see my repsonse to the original comment.
DeleteThat comment was for me. Well, I admit that my answer was incomplete but you don’t need to make this a big deal. Regards
DeleteXelabus.
ReplyDeleteOn the 9th January 2019 Xelabus Customer
Services promised that new Timetable
Books would be available from the
28th January 2019.
It is now the 30th January 2019 and the books are yet to appear on the the buses I have travelled on. Not only that but the drivers have no idea what I am talking about. Also I am unable to find any sign of the new timetables on the Xelabus website.
Perhaps it's easier to find your information on line instead of asking for timetable books.
DeleteTell that to the many pensioners who use Xelabus
Deleteand have no idea how to use the internet.
what about the non-online pensioners wanting to use First Southampton since they closed their travel shop?Where are they supposed to get timetable info?
DeleteBut the pensioners still seem able to travel. The world moves on, things evolve, get over it!
DeleteGood Afternoon
DeleteThe new timetable books are now available. We had a delay from our printers which we apologise for. All buses operating X4, X5, X6, X7, X8, X9, X10 and X17 have stocks on board. Drivers are very much aware of changes and were provided with a company update three weeks ago.
New timetables will be on line one week before the changes on the 17th February.
Over 1,000 bus stop timetable panels will be updated over the weekend of the 9th February and also on the 16th February.
Customers can also call our Customer Service number on 02380 644715.
Can you please put timetables for the X10 up along Bitterne Road West as only a few bus stops have timetables on display and most of the general public are not are of the X10 service running due to times not showing up on the real time display screens
DeleteAnyone wanting First Timetable booklets can pop along to the Portakabin on Vincents Walk
DeleteReece-they issue individual timetables now which can be picked up from downstairs at the central library as well.
DeleteHCC cuts March in Fareham area now available to view on Traveline
ReplyDeleteHi guys,
ReplyDeleteFeel free to visit my revamped website with the latest changes (I am still doing some updates). Hopefully you will like it
www.laubus.co.uk
Can't like it if I can't get it.Entered www.laubus.co.uk.However the site is non exitant on My computer at least
DeleteYou will have to upgrade to a newer computer mate
DeleteI don't think so.I'm sure I'm not missing anything of importance in not being able to pick the site up
DeleteUncalled for Reece.
DeleteAnyway, it does work, I have just loaded the link myself.
I am still doing some alterations in my website, hopefully you could access it now. I may warn you that on the phone the website is not showing properly and I apologise for that. I actually would be happy to collaborate with Sotonbus to give a refresh on the design of the website :)
DeleteAny comments are welcome, whether it is a good or a bad critic :)
https://www.bluestarbus.co.uk/feb-fare-change
ReplyDeleteWill First issue a Weston Ticket
ReplyDeleteWell we never know, now that a ticket on the 7, 16, 17 and 18 will cost £8 a week. This move will annoy first and we may have a reply from them, I believe.
Delete