It ran at a useful half-hourly frequency between 9 and about 2, with a couple of evening rush-hour journeys.
Burton reverts to having to rely on:
- Yellow 1/1a with only school time journeys extending to Burton.
- Yellow 21, a new weekday only service between Christchurch and Bransgore from 4th November, generally with between 2 and 4 journeys a day.
- More 24 with 4/5 weekday only journeys to Christchurch and Fairmile.
- More 125, the Christchurch-Ringwood shoppers' service, 2 journeys each way on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only.
Somerford is well served on the main roads, but Hunt Road is left with:
- Yellow 1b with peak hour journeys only now running this side of Christchurch.
- Yellow 21, a new weekday only service between Christchurch and Bransgore from 4th November, generally with between 2 and 4 journeys a day.
Here's a look at the route that Yellow 21, which is not yet mentioned on Yellow's website, will take when it launches on 4th November:
See all upcoming changes across the region at-a-glance here.
In regards to Yellow Buses Route 21...
ReplyDeletehttps://www.yellowbuses.co.uk/route-21
It's been on their site since lunchtime today
City Red 1 from when I was travelling today to Totton and back on the bus seems to be slowly improving with passenger numbers long may it continue
ReplyDeleteAre u serious everytime I see a city red 1 every bus has been empty I dont think it will last last time I used a bluestar 19 it had a nearly full bus from the city centre I def think gmfirst will be gone by next year I find there fleet boring
DeleteOh dear Reece.I saw a Cityred 1 leaving the Central station empty followed by BS 12 with a good loading at the weekend and it`s not an isolated example either I`m afraid.
DeleteReece is noted for travelling on First to talk to the drivers and for no other reason in most cases.Why an earth He would want the CR1 to be a success heaven only knows as He has no known reason to go to Calmore eccept for the ride there and back.I'm sure the CR1 has improved since it's introduction but will need to carry many more than it does at present I would imagine to keep its current frequency.Most bluestar 19's arn't that bright either.Congratulations to Yellowbuses in giving the new 21 a try.No surprise the C1 in Christchurch didn't last that long due to the operatos previous track record with other ventures in the past
DeleteNot sure why Reece is so pro-First as they are have a terrible history of treating the bus users in Southampton with contempt in just axing frequent routes like the 12 to Townhill Park and the 2/10 from City to Thornhill at random.
DeleteBluestar seems to have it`s own Reece as I have seen a lad from Shirley chatting to drivers and annoying passengers by going on about football and annoying drivers stepping off their Vehicles behind Primark during a brief break whist he is vaping.
DeleteBluestar need to bring back the chattybus it seems.
DeleteYes Reece it is improving, but from a ridiculously low base, so it's hardly setting the town on fire. You occasionally see a bus with eight passengers on, but the majority still have twos and threes and often none at all. The age group still seems to be of pass holders which will not even pay the drivers wages. It's doomed mate, I tell you doomed. They may try another route when they withdraw it, but if they do, you can be sure Bluestar will defend their territory to the hilt. They didn't bother about the 1, because they could see how futile the invasion was.
DeleteI get what everyone is saying and to be honest the only way First could survive in Totton is if they started another service which stops at all the stops other wise they will never get enough people to worry Bluestar
DeleteThey do not have the resources to start another service mate. The only way they could start another service is by using the staff and buses from scrapping the one route. Even then it would have to have the blessing of head office, which must be lacking in trust in their local planners after the 1 debacle.
DeleteI know they dont have the staff and resources to start another service but being non stop to Totton is just another reason the City Red 1 might fail
DeleteWell 3 Stops on Millbrook Road are currently served no bus stops were supposed to be served
DeleteNot what they registered Reece. The drivers may have told you that was the plan, based upon their managers saying it would be a fast service to Totton, but the registered route was always planned to cover some of the stops along there, although they have certainly missed a trick, as no one seems interested in saving a minute or so because they want a bus that takes them where they want to go!
DeleteI think at the rate things are going, the most likely scenario I can see is First will cut the frequency of City Red 1 to a more suitable 15 minutes, with a possible amendment to the route to take in West Totton as well. I think it would be a waste though if the total route got the axe due to the amount of branding and publicity gone into it.
DeleteI often see buses with 1 person on board...oh wait that's the driver!
ReplyDeleteHoping the 21 will be a success. Also useful to note that Yellow Buses have left the option of further services to Burton open, saying that they will engage with the community. Hopefully it will be well used.
ReplyDeleteSomerford Estate is the biggest loser however. A few years ago they were seeing buses every 15 minutes, now they're down to 3 per day. I presume most residents just walk to the main road and get a 1A now.
That said YB have been doing quite well with new routes this year. The 1a to New Milton is packed full almost every time I see it (admittedly at lansdowne so they might not all the going to NM) and the doubled frequency appears to mark it as a success.
1a when seen through highcliffe seems to have between 5 and 20 passengers on most services,however the early/ late services are lightly loaded
DeleteI assume a large part of the user base is people from Highcliffe and New Milton going shopping in Christchurch or Bournemouth, so they're more likely to be travelling in the middle of the day
Deleteyep..single decks can be almost full if they stay ahead of the more services,+ the y/b route is faster to town
DeleteYes.Sholud do even better now it's back in local ownership where those who run it should be better aware of local peoples needs
ReplyDeleteI think we're definitely starting to see this. But even under RATP, decisions were largely made locally as far as I know. It just seems now the decisions are a bit less conservative and more about trying to get new custom
DeleteThe problem is in any area that has a service which is continualy changeing such as in the Somerford area the public loose confidence and abandon it.In many cases it needs quite a considerable time to establish it where it atracts the custom it needs.This of course in todays bus world is not always possible.Maybe 3 or 4 journeys on the new 21 doesn't seem much but if successful hopefully can be added too.
DeleteWhat is the City Red 1 Like on AFC Totton match days I wonder?
ReplyDeleteProbably not much better as their following wouldn't be that big for a club of that size and people would probably walk it if local or drive it
DeleteI do attend matches on occasions
DeleteWe'll certainly no good for evening kick offs Reece, as First have packed up and gone home by that time.
DeleteYes that is correct mate but I expect first have plans for the 1 to run on evenings in the future
DeleteWhat unpleasant commentators there are on here. Regardless of which operators you favour there appears to be some very targeted and inappropriate behaviours going on.
ReplyDeleteYes there are some unnecessary comments but most are only saying it how they see it
DeleteCould you give us some examples of what you view as inappropriate and unpleasant please? As Aaron says, I can only see people saying it how they see it.
DeleteActually Anon @ 0042, I think it is something that goes both ways.
DeleteSome commentators spend their time berating Reece for example, however Reece brings some of it on himself by stating clearly that he approaches and talks to drivers when they are driving.
Having told Reece to go away myself a few times; basically if you talk to him then people complain that he is distracting you from driving.
If you don't talk to him people complain that you are an ignorant driver who is anti-customer service.
Frankly I prefer to concentrate on the little old lady crossing the traffic lights, than discussing the merits of the new second hand buses that we might or might not get from other parts of the company.
PH1146678 SN SIMON ALAN GARD
ReplyDelete8 TALBOT MEWS, BOURNEMOUTH, BH10 4BF New operating centre: THE OAKS GARDEN CENTRE, QUEEN ANNE DRIVE, WIMBORNE, BH21 3BA New authorisation at this operating centre will be: 1 vehicle(s) Removed operating centre: PARLEY COURT FARM, PARLEY GREEN LANE, PARLEY, CHRISTCHURCH, BH23 6BB
Section 2.8 – Licences Revoked Without a Public Inquiry
ReplyDeletePH1143995 SN DEKKABUS LIMITED Director(s): TREVOR ROYSTON SHORE, ALAN BARNLEY, Colin Bennett BARNLEY HOUSE, 51 - 53 STERTE AVENUE WEST, POOLE, BH15 2AJ Registered Bus Services running under this licence have also been revoked with
Did someone not post recently that Mr Gard had become transport manger for Dekkabus or am I finally loosing My marbles?
ReplyDeleteYou are right, and I questioned the fact he stated on this blog, specifically, that he had a new job outside of buses.
DeleteIndeed.That's what I thought I had read.Thanks for the reply
Deleteso what happens to 1 remaining s38 service which school parents have purchased term tickets?? any thoughts
DeleteStill by runs I presume.Have not seen any postings By Southbourne Buses that it won't up to present
DeleteWell Southbourne Buses website appears to have disappeared. Dekka are still active though
DeleteWell S38 is still shown as running on Traveline
DeleteDo Dekkabus even have a website?
DeleteI've had an idea for an alternative incarnation of City Red 1 if the Totton route fails: Have it as a City Centre - Lordshill/Lower Brownhill route but run direct up Romsey Road rather than via the Hospital. This would almost resemble the previous incarnation of the 1 withdrawn in November 2017 and could certainly take in a lot more pax than the Totton route does. It could even take over the 11 to Weston, giving a Lower Brownhill - Weston route in competition with B*17.
ReplyDeleteDoubt that would happen as First are not that creative they just try and muscle their way in to Bluestar strong holds and hope for the best
Delete...remind me what the Bluestar 19 is doing ????
Delete1. It's not directly copying a route and 2. Thornhill is not a First bus stronghold
DeleteShould have gone to specsavers I think ?
DeleteSo many post on this site with so many ridiculous ideas at times.Makes you wonder what sort of make believe world they live in
ReplyDeleteActually. I think that some of the more out there ideas are not really out there, but that we know First are too scared to try.
DeleteI note that Go Ahead actually have released a statement more generally scathing the public transport system and rules this week....
... and the problem is they are right... but I suspect for the wrong reasons.
Please note that one of our City Red 2 buses has suffered two broken windows whilst in service in Millbrook and the Police are attending the scene. For the safety of our customers and staff, City Red 2 buses will divert via Romsey Road, Lordshill Rdbt, Romsey Road to Shirley.
ReplyDeleteI make no sense of that posting by First.Why would it do such a ridiculous diversion
DeleteOnly area the bus can turn around at the time
DeleteIf you think this blog is full of unpleasant and inappropriate comments, just wait until you see the Daily Echo article on this. Never seen so much shaming towards Millbrook residents in my life; Totally unnecessary for this day and age.
Deletethe daily echo is noted for sensationalising most things.What's worse is that many who read it believe it all
DeleteWhat a nice win that was for Leicester City a nice lovely 9-0 win over Southampton at St Mary's Stadium
ReplyDeleteThis is a bus forum NOT a football forum!!
DeleteDoes Reece mean Blue Star 9 - City Reds 0!
DeleteHello Reece, you are trying to diversify the conversations here, but the subjects are not welcome here for some reason. Never mind!
DeleteNice to see you back on here mate anyway how are you Claudio?
DeleteNot too bad. Hope all of you are okay.
DeleteYeah I'm good thanks mate:)
DeleteThe website from Southbourne Buses is now live again, probably we couldn't access it because someone forgot to renew the subscription for the webservices.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.southbournebuses.co.uk/news/2019-10-route-c1-ending/
As there is nothing of interest on the Southbourne Buses site,I would imagine most would not miss it if it wern't there.
ReplyDeleteSame here
Deleteseems to have become basicly a charter operation
DeleteOne that we all want to see the back of
DeleteDo we?
DeleteAnything to do with Simon Gard mate yeah.
DeleteThank you for making that decision for me. At least he is out there trying to earn his keep, rather than sat at home watching old repeats of Jeremy Kyle like so many people in this country.
DeleteIn history Mr Gard will not be considered a successful bus operator,but one who in the past has constantly let people down in His operations
DeleteJeremy Kyle is no longer shown on ITV2 mate
DeleteI know, I was being sarcastic.
DeleteJust heard Xelabus going contactless from next weekend and calling it tap n travel.
ReplyDeleteQuite a nice tie up with their passengerless buses around Southampton.
DeleteSo unnecessary that comment
Deletedoesn't have to worry them as they get paid by the councils
DeleteYes.Not exactly the first choice in running round Southampton.Some of their drivers are just aweful in comunicating with the public.Pity really when their vehicles are tops in presetation.On the few times I have ever used one of their routes I have encountered some of the worse driving staff ever in dealing with the general public.The few that are good are very good,but the ones that are bad are a complete loss.Still same aplies to First and Bluestar.Why they should ever want a job dealing with the public beats Me in knowing how fickle the British public is
DeleteNot always the case having 100% driving the best or with customers but Xelabus do try and have tidy buses.They have 2 BMC buses and one is already in their smart livery. Nice to know they want to share their birthday with the public though and something to look forward too. Knowing Phil Blair and his organisation of Netley bus rally we should have a good day for their rally.
DeleteIf the rally is In Netley First Bus will be delighted as they will have packed buses on the 6 all day.
Deletealso they have a 10th birthday next year with an Open day in April and bus rally in June
ReplyDeleteWhere is the Bus Rally taking place?
DeleteI work for the company and have heard it will be Mayflower Park and they will be running old Southampton buses on former routes. Big advert campaign starts in January so looking forward to it.
DeletePlenty of Photograph opportunities for me on the day to look forward to
DeleteI work for Xela too and they told me all the buses are being painted gold for there 10th anniversary. The drivers are being issued with gold ties too
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it peaceful on here when there are no rumours about new routes
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it won't last long
DeleteStagecoach have started registering their November and December changes....
DeleteWe could speculate a number 70, Winchester, Eastleigh, Hedge End, Fareham to compliment their 69?
Reading Buses have been quiet since acquiring Courtney... maybe they will buy ... errrr... Wheelers!
[All suggestions in this reply should be taken with a pinch of charcoal, by the way]
Wait what's this rumour about a new route?
DeleteSorry I was wrong, the 70 is going from Hedge End via a double back to Hamble and also diverting via Wickham and Gosport
DeleteThat's a very convoluted route. Doubt many people would use it when there's already a decent rail alternative between Hedge End and Fareham.
DeleteIf we thought the same way as you, the 69 would be doomed, as there is a good link between Winchester and Fareham by train.
DeleteWow the internet is such an amazing place isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI've just been trawling through the web archive's Wayback Machine and have found a network map of Solent Blue Line's routes from 2007. Link is here: http://www.solentblueline.com/routes.html
Notable differences:
A smaller proportion of routes branded as Bluestar.
Red Rocket brand applied to routes around Eastleigh. Valley park even has a regular direct service to the town.
Former Brijan routes 7 and 8 (now Xelabus X10 and X9) operated by company, as well as direct route 43 Eastleigh - Bishops Waltham.
More services from Southampton to Hedge End. Most notably the 6/6A via Maunsell Way and the 29 via Bursledon.
Routes 30 and 31 to Cadnam
Weren't things better back in the day?
No they were not.Some routes had awful vehices on them such as 6/6a and 29.Times since then have changed dramatically where people took to their cars which killed off many routes.No point in running buses where no one or few want them in todays world
DeleteWell unfortunately we may be forced back onto them if cities ban cars on the grounds of CO2 emissions - Whether you like it or not.
DeleteWon't happen.There is no polotician brave enough to ban cars completely in Towns and Cities.public backlash would be a disaster for them
DeleteIt's only restrictions on older diesels and petrol cars
DeleteThe Echo are reporting that a Cityred 2 has had its windows smashed on Millbrook estate again this week and is the second such attack in a week and would make me feel uncomfortable travelling on one in the evening on that estate.
ReplyDeleteFeel sorry for the Cityred drivers having to drive through the estate at night knowing they could be under attack at anytime too.
DeleteWhat about Bluestar Drivers on the 18 and 7s they must not feel safe either? - Nice to be the 100th comment though
DeleteTrue but the attacks have been on Cityred buses though that could change and lets hope they catch the miscreants and throw the book at them.
DeleteIf my memory serves me right we had similar window smashing on Millbrook about a year or two ago and it was Firstbus that took the brunt of the attacks then-perhaps someone with a grudge against First or just a strange coincidence.
DeleteWell you know I would not be the one throwing the bricks.
DeleteIncidents of buses having bricks or stones thrown at them are rare.In the past they seem to happen during School Holiday breaks mainly.Offenders are difficult to aprehend as by the time it happens the bus has travelled quite a short distance before it can come to a halt.It's obvious someone knows who the offender is and they are just as cowardly as the person who does it.Sad times all round I'm afraid where because of a few everyone suffers
DeleteCityRed buses could be targeted because of animal mentality - humans, young males particularly, react strongly to the colour red
DeleteIt's really nice that since June 2018 First in Southampton have not changed much with the timetables apart from removing some journies on the 6 from Butlocks Heath back in September last year
ReplyDeleteIndeed, and very nice that they've started shipping fresh new forest air into Southampton and taking the manky polluted stuff back out into the new forest again every ten minutes.
DeleteWhen they last served Totton in 2013 the vehicles were a lot more polluted then they are now.
DeleteWe can say the same For Go Ahead in Weston and Thornhill though.
Anon @09:20-Love it!
DeleteIn just the same way Bluestar are adding extra, unnecessary, emissions to the air in Southampton. Totally unnecessary
DeleteA few extra buses added to the roads won't make much difference to air quality.It' the thousans of cars vans and lorries running round that need addressing
DeleteI disagree. We should be alerting the good folk from extinction rebellion to do a job on all routes where there is duplication for no good reason. CR1 and 2 as well as BS19.
Deletewell inform the Government of this they are the ones who created this stupid situation.it's obvious there is no danger to public health otherwise it would be stopped.We are obsessed in this Country with climate change which is mainly all talk but no action to do much about it,and a few extra buses running round won't make much difference to the situation
DeleteNo one thought that a few led lightbulbs would make a difference either, yet my electricity bill is less than half of what it was ten years ago! Lots of little changes make a huge difference.
DeleteMe too, and my gas bill has gone up to compensate for the loss of heating from old-fashioned lightbulbs
DeleteDoes any one know what the Soton Firstbus updates are for on routes 1, 2, 3, 6, 8/8A & 11? They come into effect on 14 November, a Thursday!
ReplyDeleteThat day is switch on for the Christmas lights - and we are going to be plagued by the Flying Santa nonsense again which will disrupt services
DeleteThe show of the Flying Santa only lasts a few minutes as well
DeleteI keep getting visions that First will make CR 1 every 7 minutes or every 8 minutes as that is the sort of stupid thing they would do
ReplyDeleteYou need to go to specsavers then!!!
DeleteI need to next year to do my Eye Test :) New glasses for me to look forward to I should expect.
DeleteI'm sorry, your eye test and vision problems are relevant because??????
DeleteHe will be able to get his Group 1 licence and then his Group 2 licence and drive a bus!
DeleteWell said Anon 6 Nov at 0714 :)
DeleteWonder who is going to be the second to announce their Christmas services(Southern Vectis always get in first by announcing theirs in the autumn timetable book).
ReplyDeleteI would say Bluestar/Morebus with First being last as usual.
DeleteBrighton and Hove buses have already announced their plans for Christmas.
DeleteDoes it really matter ?
ReplyDeleteDoes what really matter?
DeleteMight be a smart move by First - to my surprise some regular users of Bluestar 11 up Water Lane and towards Morrisons are choosing to use First 1 and walk - can only think this is to do with frequency or perhaps the rumours that Bluestar 11 is the first service to be cut when there is a shortage of buses/drivers is true
ReplyDeletecr1 seems to be doing quite well,the bonus being faster service into the city.
DeleteOnly because it doesn't need to stop, seeing as there is nobody wanting to get on or off.
DeleteUtter nonsense. The 11 rarely gets pulled.
DeleteSo you know passengers are doing this how exactly?
DeleteCityred is NOT doing very well unless you think a bus with just four passengers onboard approaching the Central station from Totton is good in the morning rush hour.
DeleteMaybe he talks to other passengers on the bus perhaps
DeleteNo Reece I doubt it as the post is a load of rubbish as the BS11 is very reliable and is NOT the first to get pulled when there`s a shortage of drivers and I say that as a regular of the 11,which continues to enjoy a reasonable loading.
DeleteCan I also add the Bluestar 11 is also lifeline for many college students who dont use the college buses also why anyone would walk to Morrisons is beyond me as I know the area
DeleteThe Bluestar 11 is the least reliable service that I use - it suffers more cancellations than all other services I use combined and as a consequence I have on many occasions caught another service and walked a considerable distance. I have talked to passengers on the Bluestar 11 who have had similar experiences. I have witnessed regular users of Bluestar 11 use First 1 as an alternative. I have talked face-to-face with an acquaintance who claims he is now using First 1 on a regular basis instead of Bluestar 11 and will continue to do so citing frequency, speed and reliability.
DeleteIn any case, First should extend the CR1 Calmore loop to serve West Totton and the Morrisons, as well as bring the frequency down to a more bearable 12 or 15 minutes. That will make it much more profitable than it is now.
DeleteI think a moment of realism has touched a nerve with the bluestar fans !
ReplyDeleteWhat the realisation that First`s Cityred 1 can only muster four passenger on entering the city from Totton in the peak of the morning peak-not something to get excited about is it?
DeleteWell, there are a lot of us, compared to you and Reece! The 11 works in tandem with the 12 for most of the day, and while CR1 lasts, these will be the least likely to be cut. The CR1 remains an absolute joke of a service, and regularly has missing buses, not that anyone notices. I agree with the above poster about the peak hour loadings which are abysmal. Yes, you will occasionally see a CR1 with a dozen people aboard, but it nearly always followed by three near empty ones. As has been said before, the maths just does not work, so the blues are lapping up watching the reds pouring money down the drain. The longer it stays on the road, the weaker First get. No one is brave enough to buy any ticket of over one week, as there is no confidence that it will be around for any length of time.
DeleteAnonymous 22:17 What ever nerve it is meant to hit I'm not sure it hurt, I'm also not sure why you would say that
DeleteBluestar fan club out in force !!
ReplyDeleteCome again what has that got to do with anything I dont why your all saying this
DeleteIt's only Reece and yourself that form the entire First fanclub. Everyone else can see the way things really are. Instead of making snipes about things, why not enter into a proper debate with us all? It is not clever to put little one liners, which you seem to think will wind us up. Just like Bluestar, we are all very calm about the situation in Southampton. Further big announcement about their strength coming later by the way!
DeleteIs it a Hamble Route perhaps
DeleteDoubt it Reece they've done Hamble before, IF they were to do a new route or alter an existing one then it would have to be imaginative and something that would give that competitive edge
DeleteIf First wanted to genuinely provide a service for Totton and Calmore they should have routed it via Shirley or even General Hosp.
ReplyDeleteThey did before but it was never well used
DeleteFirst a number of years ago had a good network in Southampton.In recent years thanks to the stupidity of their management they have managed to destroy most of it.Most of the public have given up with them and the only main supporters they have are a few bus enthusiasts who think they are marvelous.A majority of the public th ink they are hopeless in getting anything right.Mind you Bluestar arn't much better in some instances as lately some new employees taken on are shocking in attitude which is unfortunate.With Bluestar there seems lately no one of any competence to regulate services when they fall apart as more than likely they are sat viewing some computer which not always gives the right story in what's happening
DeleteSaw a Cityred 1 leave Totton at 11:30 am today empty and the BS19 extension to the Central station seems to attract just an odd customer and hardly worth the while providing it when customers can just change to the 4,7,17 and 18 behind Primark anyway.
DeleteBS19 that I caught yesterday picked up loads of passengers at the art gallery stop and in Above Bar so it does pay them to do it.
DeleteAll this loads of passengers on the 19.I have yet to note any but just a few on most journeys with the CR1 being no better
DeleteBetter catch the 3.50pm BS19 from the Central station on a weekday afternoon then if you need evidence of a really good loading for a start.
DeleteThat's just one odd journey out of a few more only I suspect.Most are very under patronised
DeleteNice to know Go South Coast are increasing their fares between 10 and 50p knew they were in it for the money.
ReplyDeleteFirst will now get more popular by the day - Happy Days :)
What an absolutely stupid comment! They are a business..... OBVIOUSLY THEY NEED TO MAKE MONEY
DeleteLooks like they are responding to the September and June fare increases from First but certainly interesting they are touching the £8 weekly (now £9)
They are clearly winning the battle of passenger numbers so they must certainly be confident to risk this fares increase
Reece I think you will find the biggest increase is out the boundary and not being horrible but First only go to Totton and Calmore unless your suggesting they walk it to Hythe or wherever they are going, same can be applied for Eastleigh and Winchester. What I'm saying is people are not going to walk ridiculous distances just to save money
DeleteYes, it will be the fares with no competition, except where they are already cheaper than First and the fares will be equalised. The 9 pound weekly will be matched by First immediately, with a huge sigh of relief, so that they can gain a little more revenue. I suspect a deal with this price has already been done behind closed doors! It's hardly a fare increase, as it is still one pound lower than a year ago. It would be far better for both operators to get their heads together to start jacking up the fares in the city, as they are way below what they should be.
DeleteExcept this would be illegal...
DeleteAlso can I just reply to the only in it for the money comment made by Reece in saying Solent Blue Line (Bluestar is their brand name) have been around since 1987 when First wasnt even in Southampton, in 1987 the red buses were run by City bus First didnt come along till about just over 10 years later
DeleteI'm sure First and Bluestar have many instances where they work together whether legal or not
DeleteAnd it wasn’t Solent Blue Line. Technically it was Musterphantom 175 Ltd
DeleteIndeed no such thing as Solent Blue Line as this was trading name only
DeleteWell I would like to know where came from because Solent Blue Line was set up by Southern Vectis to Compete on the main routes in Southampton with CIty bus
DeleteIndeed it was but under the name of Musterphantom Limited to keep it apart from Southern Vectis.If you bought a ticket in their Travel Office and paid by cheque back then you had to make it out to Musterphantom Limited.Also on the buses the legal lettering was Musterphantom Limited
DeleteIt doesn't matter because my point was it has been around longer in Southampton then First have so for Reece to say they are only in it for the money doesn't ring true
DeleteRubbish. Southampton City Bus was bought by First in 1997, having been going for many many years since 1898. Musterphantom (aka Solent Blue Line) was set up in 1986, and it along with its parent Southern Vectis was bought by Go ahead in 2005. Either way, Bluestar in its present guise is the new kid on the block. Easily verifiable via Google. Both companies are in it for the money, that's what companies do. I doubt either CR1 or B*19 is increasing the companies' profits though
DeletePerhaps you need to put your glasses on when you see a BS19 next time as it seems to be very well used now.
DeleteWell an increase in frequency is promised in the New Year so that should cater for all the extra custom some think it's attracting
DeleteYes bluestar will ramp up the fares outside the city (singles and returns) where they don’t have competition
ReplyDeleteDid not First recently do the same on their 6 and 8 routes?
DeleteAnd also in the Portsmouth area.
DeleteAs someone said earlier, need to make money. Anyway First will probably follow suit & subsequently increase their fares? Rather than try to boast about having lower fares- Which I don't think they have?
ReplyDeleteHi guys. It has been 4 months since I left the UK.
ReplyDeleteI have no empathy whatsoever towards the flying Santa, but perhaps there is some sort of a contract that brings them back year after year, however, they need to do something else, as I don’t believe it brings a lot of people to town to see it, probably just a few people from the estates by bus.
Bluestar (and Morebus) are increasing prices, okay, they are a business and if you don’t make profit, you can cut services or you can increase prices.
I can see by the comments here that the CR1 is not doing that well, and I think the frequency is beyond me, never going to understand it. Hope common sense comes over management and reduce the number of buses per hour.
Buses for Christmas: when I had my blog I was always very interested to check how the companies would run. If I was you, guys, I would check in vosa for some variations in routes/timetables, especially the one referring to GSC (PH1121126)... What do I really expect? Christmas Day services on the M1/M2 (Morebus) and Bluestar 1, 18 and perhaps a 17, extended to Totton via the M271. The rest, pretty much the same as previous years.
Hope you guys are doing okay and keep commenting.
One more thing, Yellow Buses have announced their Christmas and new year plans. https://www.yellowbuses.co.uk/Christmas
DeleteNow we just have to see if they end up
Deletestriking instead...
https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/18023418.bus-workers-threaten-christmas-period-walkout-support-yellow-buses-driver/
The only variation I can see for GSC is the bus from Salisbury to Stonehenge for the Winter Solstice.
ReplyDeleteNothing special. They do it every year, and for the Summer Solstice too.
Off topic but as it to do with Southampton, I thought some of you on here might know the answer to the following query as I can't find it anywhere else:
ReplyDeleteWhatever happened to the Bargate Quarter development? It was scheduled for completion this season and not a single pile has been put up. At the rate it's going, I doubt it'll even be ready for next autumn, which would be a shame as the area looks like wasteland and the poor old Burton facade is sticking out like a sore thumb hanging onto the red scaffold. Think of all the losses the bus companies are making without the development bringing additional shoppers into town.
U can easily find info online about Bargate Quarter being delayed due to archaeological interest...
DeleteFrom yesterday's Echo online - Bargate Quarter developers plan to add new hotel to former shopping centre site - they want to drop the student accommodation from the plans but add a 240 room hotel and flats instead. If they get permission plan to start construction early next year.
DeleteLet's hope the Hotel goes ahead.far too much student accomodation in Southampton.In fact a lot of people now refer to Southampton as Studenthampton
DeleteBe careful what you say! I'm a student myself and like many others, make up a significant proportion of revenue for Unilink services. If it wasn't for them, much of Portswood, Bassett and Swaythling would be without a regular bus service.
Delete