The coming cuts are worse than we thought. According to a Hampshire County Council document we've seen, the following cuts are almost certain to be imposed, as well as those listed in the previous post:
H1/H2/H3 (Hythe local services)
These will no longer run on Saturdays. Some weekday journeys will also be cut.
W&D X7 (Southampton-Salisbury)
Some rush hour journeys will be cut.
Bluestar 6, 10 and 11 (Southampton-Lymington & Southampton-Cadnam)
These will all be cut to one bus an hour (that's just one on the combined 10/11, half the current frequency) and they could be combined into one hourly route running via Cadnam to Lyndhurst and Lymington. This would cut Rushington, Foxhills and Ashurst off apart from the off-peak Totton shopper route T2, which only has three journeys a day and doesn't run at weekends.
Bluestar 12 (Southampton-Calmore)
Sunday evening journeys will be withdrawn.
W&D 34/36 (Romsey-Salisbury)
These will be severely cut to cater for schools and shoppers only. The 34 will no longer run through to Eastleigh on Saturdays (the 65 will run every 2 hours). The 36 will be slashed to run on a maximum of 4 days a week.
Stagecoach 46 (Southampton-Winchester)
Several journeys will be cut, the Saturday service will be withdrawn completely and the route will be curtailed to only run between Winchester and the General Hospital. Chilworth and Nursling will be cut off from public transport, but might be offered a taxi share scheme.
W&D 65 (Eastleigh-Romsey)
Several journeys will be cut.
First 72 (Southampton-Gosport)
Several journeys will be cut, particularly on Sundays.
First 80 (Southampton-Fareham)
Several journeys will be cut, particularly on Sundays.
W&D 119 (Lymington-Pennington)
The frequency of this already part-time service will be halved to just hourly.
No date has yet been set for these to take effect but it should be by the end of November. We'll let you know as soon as we have more.
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Monday, 5 September 2011
Widespread cuts due by Christmas
The rumours going round about possible cuts in Hedge End prompted us to dig a bit deeper. We came across a decision report from Hampshire County Council (HCC), dated a few weeks ago, which details several possible cuts to our region's bus services. They don't affect the City of Southampton, which is now independent of HCC and has already cut many of the bus services it subsidises this year. They do affect the areas immediately surrounding the city that are within our coverage area. The cuts will apply to many services that are currently run with a subsidy from HCC. They are yet to be finalised, but have been decided by the council. These are the bus services under threat:
Velvet A (Eastleigh-Hedge End-Boorley Green)
The Boorley Green section will be cut and replaced by a taxishare scheme. Route A will probably still run to Botley.
First A (Eastleigh-Hedge End)
The evening service will be cut back to only run on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.
Velvet C1/C2/C3 (Eastleigh-Chandlers Ford-Hiltingbury)
These services will be withdrawn and replaced by a commercial service which is yet to be determined, but will probably stick to the core direct route between Eastleigh, Chandlers Ford and Hiltingbury. Valley Park will be left with no direct bus to Eastleigh and will be offered a taxi share scheme. The current evening C1 service will be cut to run on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings only.
Baby Bluestar E1/E2/E3 (Eastleigh-Winchester)
The combined frequency will be cut to hourly. Route E3 will be withdrawn, leaving Badger Farm with no direct link to Eastleigh. The E1 will be rerouted to serve Stanmore and the Royal Hampshire County Hospital. The Sunday service will be withdrawn.
Baby Bluestar F (Eastleigh-Stoke Common-Bishops Waltham)
This service will be withdrawn. Stoke Common will get a taxi share scheme. Much of the rest of the route is duplicated by Brijan 8.
W&D X1/X2 (Lymington-Bournemouth)
Some evening and Sunday journeys will be cut.
Bluestar 6 (Southampton-Lymington)
The frequency will be halved from half-hourly to hourly.
Bluestar 8 (Southampton-Marchwood-Hythe)
The Sunday service will be withdrawn, leaving Marchwood unserved.
Bluestar 9 (Southampton-Waterside)
The evening diversion to Marchwood will be withdrawn. The section of route to Heather Road in Blackfield will also be cut.
Brijan 17 (Bishops Waltham-Petersfield)
Will be cut from a 6 days a week service to only run on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
First 26 (Hamble-Hedge End-Fareham)
Some journeys will be cut. Low floor buses will be moved to other routes, making it more difficult for wheelchair and pushchair users to get about.
W&D 30 (Romsey-Halterworth)
The Saturday service will be withdrawn.
Stagecoach 32/33 (Romsey circular)
The frequency will be cut from 3 to 2 buses an hour.
W&D 34/36 (Romsey-Salisbury)
Several journeys will be cut.
W&D 35 (Romsey-Braishfield)
The Saturday service will be removed.
Stagecoach 69 (Winchester-Fair Oak-Fareham)
The Sunday service will be withdrawn, leaving no way of getting to Marwell Zoo by public transport.
W&D 112 (Hythe-Lymington)
Will be cut from 6 days a week to 3 days a week, with the exception of schools journeys.
W&D 119 (Lymington-Pennington)
Several journeys will be cut.
Meanwhile just outside our patch, in Winchester, no subsidised buses will run after 2130, even on Fridays and Saturdays.
The proposed cuts are quite far-reaching, although there is no mention of any cuts to Bluestar 3. We'll let you know as dates are announced for the implementation of these changes. In the meantime, leave a comment and let us know how these cuts will affect you.
Velvet A (Eastleigh-Hedge End-Boorley Green)
The Boorley Green section will be cut and replaced by a taxishare scheme. Route A will probably still run to Botley.
First A (Eastleigh-Hedge End)
The evening service will be cut back to only run on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.
Velvet C1/C2/C3 (Eastleigh-Chandlers Ford-Hiltingbury)
These services will be withdrawn and replaced by a commercial service which is yet to be determined, but will probably stick to the core direct route between Eastleigh, Chandlers Ford and Hiltingbury. Valley Park will be left with no direct bus to Eastleigh and will be offered a taxi share scheme. The current evening C1 service will be cut to run on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings only.
Baby Bluestar E1/E2/E3 (Eastleigh-Winchester)
The combined frequency will be cut to hourly. Route E3 will be withdrawn, leaving Badger Farm with no direct link to Eastleigh. The E1 will be rerouted to serve Stanmore and the Royal Hampshire County Hospital. The Sunday service will be withdrawn.
Baby Bluestar F (Eastleigh-Stoke Common-Bishops Waltham)
This service will be withdrawn. Stoke Common will get a taxi share scheme. Much of the rest of the route is duplicated by Brijan 8.
W&D X1/X2 (Lymington-Bournemouth)
Some evening and Sunday journeys will be cut.
Bluestar 6 (Southampton-Lymington)
The frequency will be halved from half-hourly to hourly.
Bluestar 8 (Southampton-Marchwood-Hythe)
The Sunday service will be withdrawn, leaving Marchwood unserved.
Bluestar 9 (Southampton-Waterside)
The evening diversion to Marchwood will be withdrawn. The section of route to Heather Road in Blackfield will also be cut.
Brijan 17 (Bishops Waltham-Petersfield)
Will be cut from a 6 days a week service to only run on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
First 26 (Hamble-Hedge End-Fareham)
Some journeys will be cut. Low floor buses will be moved to other routes, making it more difficult for wheelchair and pushchair users to get about.
W&D 30 (Romsey-Halterworth)
The Saturday service will be withdrawn.
Stagecoach 32/33 (Romsey circular)
The frequency will be cut from 3 to 2 buses an hour.
W&D 34/36 (Romsey-Salisbury)
Several journeys will be cut.
W&D 35 (Romsey-Braishfield)
The Saturday service will be removed.
Stagecoach 69 (Winchester-Fair Oak-Fareham)
The Sunday service will be withdrawn, leaving no way of getting to Marwell Zoo by public transport.
W&D 112 (Hythe-Lymington)
Will be cut from 6 days a week to 3 days a week, with the exception of schools journeys.
W&D 119 (Lymington-Pennington)
Several journeys will be cut.
Meanwhile just outside our patch, in Winchester, no subsidised buses will run after 2130, even on Fridays and Saturdays.
The proposed cuts are quite far-reaching, although there is no mention of any cuts to Bluestar 3. We'll let you know as dates are announced for the implementation of these changes. In the meantime, leave a comment and let us know how these cuts will affect you.
Thursday, 1 September 2011
Ringwood coach, fares up & Hedge Enders
We have confirmation from the Department for Transport that Gardbus 39 will be withdrawn after close of service on Friday 30th September, yet again cutting Ringwood off from Southampton's bus network.
So where does this leave people needing to get between Southampton and Ringwood? National Express run several coaches a day between the two. There's no ticket interavailability with other bus companies in the region, but if you book in advance you can get a good deal. Their website is currently offering that journey tomorrow from £3.10 single. They now also make it easy to see timetables for other routes they operate. From Southampton they are: 032 to London, 203 to Fareham & Portsmouth or to Winchester, Basingstoke & Heathrow Airport, 300 to Salisbury, 315 along the South Coast from Penzance to Eastbourne and several services daily to Ringwood, Bournemouth and Poole or to Newbury, Oxford, the West Midlands and the North West. From Monday 26th September, route 206 will connect us with Gatwick Airport.
Bluestar have put most of their fares up. The only ones that haven't changed are most singles and returns for journeys that are entirely within the City of Southampton. Unilink have also increased the prices of their season tickets.
An anonymous commenter to the last post asks if Bluestar 3 is soon to be withdrawn and replaced by an extension to First 8A. We cannot confirm this. We also cannot rule it out. A weekday daytime frequency of just one bus an hour can't exactly be endearing Bluestar to Hedge Enders, especially after yet another fare increase. First 8A runs every 20 minutes Mon-Sat daytimes, so I'm sure anyone living near both routes will have been at least tempted to give First a go. We'll keep an eye on the situation there. Please leave a comment and let us know your thoughts.
So where does this leave people needing to get between Southampton and Ringwood? National Express run several coaches a day between the two. There's no ticket interavailability with other bus companies in the region, but if you book in advance you can get a good deal. Their website is currently offering that journey tomorrow from £3.10 single. They now also make it easy to see timetables for other routes they operate. From Southampton they are: 032 to London, 203 to Fareham & Portsmouth or to Winchester, Basingstoke & Heathrow Airport, 300 to Salisbury, 315 along the South Coast from Penzance to Eastbourne and several services daily to Ringwood, Bournemouth and Poole or to Newbury, Oxford, the West Midlands and the North West. From Monday 26th September, route 206 will connect us with Gatwick Airport.
Bluestar have put most of their fares up. The only ones that haven't changed are most singles and returns for journeys that are entirely within the City of Southampton. Unilink have also increased the prices of their season tickets.
An anonymous commenter to the last post asks if Bluestar 3 is soon to be withdrawn and replaced by an extension to First 8A. We cannot confirm this. We also cannot rule it out. A weekday daytime frequency of just one bus an hour can't exactly be endearing Bluestar to Hedge Enders, especially after yet another fare increase. First 8A runs every 20 minutes Mon-Sat daytimes, so I'm sure anyone living near both routes will have been at least tempted to give First a go. We'll keep an eye on the situation there. Please leave a comment and let us know your thoughts.
Monday, 15 August 2011
Ringwood to disappear again? / Diversions
Distressing news from Ringwood: Gardbus's website has an announcement that they are withdrawing the 39 from 1st October. This will leave Ringwood yet again cut off from Southampton's bus network. The company say the decision is due to what they refer to as unfair competition in the Verwood area making their own services unviable. The cancellation hasn't yet been announced on VOSA, the Department of Transport's bus service register, so there's still hope. Any changes to commercial bus services have to be notified to the DoT with 56 days notice.
There are diversions to several bus routes around Central Station until 9th September. First have given their details, but several Bluestar routes will be affected too.
Diversions also in Swaythling, on Portswood Road between Sirdar Road and Mayfield Road. Unilink advise how the U6 is affected but Bluestar 2 and First 7 will also need to divert until early October.
Friday, 1 July 2011
New Forest Tour expands to Ringwood / Diversions in Swaythling & Wrights Hill
The New Forest Tour from Bluestar and W&D is running again until 18th September. There's a new route between Lyndhurst and Ringwood that runs from 23rd July to 4th September too. Full details on their website.
Some diversions at the moment caused by roadworks in Wrights Hill (affecting First 12, 16, 72 and 80) and Swaythling (affecting Bluestar 2 and First 7). First have the details on their new-look website.
Some diversions at the moment caused by roadworks in Wrights Hill (affecting First 12, 16, 72 and 80) and Swaythling (affecting Bluestar 2 and First 7). First have the details on their new-look website.
Monday, 6 June 2011
Ringwood relinked, summer solstice & diversions
A new bus operator comes to Southampton from 9th July. Gardbus, based in Bournemouth, are reconnecting Ringwood to Southampton with new service 39. The service is significantly reduced compared to the old Dorset Sprinter X5, but it's better than nothing. It'll run one return journey every Wednesday and Friday, timed to make it possible for people from Ringwood to spend a few hours in Southampton. Unfortunately it isn't timed to make it possible for Sotonians to spend a few hours in Ringwood and then come back on the same day - your best bet for that is still National Express. On Saturdays however, there will be two return journeys between Southampton and Ringwood, meaning you can go to Ringwood for a couple of hours. The first and last journey will run from and to Fordingbridge, giving them a direct bus into Southampton for the first time in years. Rather than run via the M271 like its predecessor, the 39 will run via Totton, Testwood and Cadnam. Check out Gardbus's website complete with the 39's timetable and their Facebook page. We wish them the best of luck.
Several routes of all companies will be diverted in the City Centre next week when Bargate Street is closed from Monday 13th to Friday 17th June. Read about First's diversions here.
Victoria Road in Woolston is partially closed until around 15th August, meaning diversions to First 1/1A (City Centre-Weston)
Slightly out of our area, but if you fancy going to Stonehenge for the summer solstice, Wilts & Dorset will be running special buses from Salisbury train station on the night of Monday 20th June directly to Stonehenge. Don't forget that you can of course also catch the W&D X7 from Southampton to Salisbury.
Several routes of all companies will be diverted in the City Centre next week when Bargate Street is closed from Monday 13th to Friday 17th June. Read about First's diversions here.
Victoria Road in Woolston is partially closed until around 15th August, meaning diversions to First 1/1A (City Centre-Weston)
Slightly out of our area, but if you fancy going to Stonehenge for the summer solstice, Wilts & Dorset will be running special buses from Salisbury train station on the night of Monday 20th June directly to Stonehenge. Don't forget that you can of course also catch the W&D X7 from Southampton to Salisbury.
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Diversions: Portswood, Sports Centre & Dibden Purlieu
First have released the new timetables for those routes affecting by the upcoming changes on 12th June.
Wilts & Dorset 34 (Eastleigh/Romsey-Salisbury) has a new timetable from 3rd July.
There are quite a few diversions around the region:
Portswood: Bluestar 2, Unilink U6 and First 7 are all diverted towards town due to the southbound closure of part of Portswood Road. They are diverting from the Talking Heads via Thomas Lewis Way and St Denys Road, rejoining the usual route outside Superdrug. Northbound journeys are not affected. This is expected to last until 29th August.
Sports Centre: The top bit of Hill Lane and bottom bit of Lordswood Road are closed until 4th July, meaning diversions to First 4, 7A and 21.
Dibden Purlieu: W&D 112 is diverted due to a part time closure of Beaulieu Road until 28th May.
Wilts & Dorset 34 (Eastleigh/Romsey-Salisbury) has a new timetable from 3rd July.
There are quite a few diversions around the region:
Portswood: Bluestar 2, Unilink U6 and First 7 are all diverted towards town due to the southbound closure of part of Portswood Road. They are diverting from the Talking Heads via Thomas Lewis Way and St Denys Road, rejoining the usual route outside Superdrug. Northbound journeys are not affected. This is expected to last until 29th August.
Sports Centre: The top bit of Hill Lane and bottom bit of Lordswood Road are closed until 4th July, meaning diversions to First 4, 7A and 21.
Dibden Purlieu: W&D 112 is diverted due to a part time closure of Beaulieu Road until 28th May.
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
First changes, supermarket links & fare rises
First have announced several changes, some to their commercial services and some cuts to those services subsidised by Southampton City Council. They all take effect on Sunday 12th June. Here's a summary:
3 (City Centre-Townhill Park): Timetable change to improve reliability, especially during rush hours.
5 (City Centre-Lordshill North): Sunday service withdrawn.
7A (City Centre-Millbrook Tesco): Withdrawn. Section of route between City Centre and Bassett Green will still run as service 7. Passengers needing to travel between Portswood/Swaythling and the General Hospital can still use Unilink U6. Passengers for Millbrook and Shirley will have to go via the City Centre.
8 (Lordshill-Townhill Park): Timetable change to connect better with fast trains to London from Central Station. Evening buses to Lordshill are withdrawn. Chartwell Green will no longer be served on Sundays.
9/9A/9B (City Centre-Hightown): Route change in City Centre. Outbound buses will run via Bargate Street, Portland Terrace, Civic Centre Road and New Road to Six Dials and then as before.
10/10A (Lordshill-Thornhill): Extra buses on Saturday mornings and Sunday daytimes.
11A/11C/12A/12C (City Centre-Sholing): Reorganised so that all buses via Bitterne will be numbered 11 and all buses via Woolston will be numbered 12. Higher frequency via Bitterne, lower frequency via Woolston. New route in City Centre.
17/17A/17B (City Centre-Lordshill): Weekday daytime combined frequency increased to every 7-8 minutes, in line with the competing Bluestar 18 (Millbrook-Hightown).
21 (RSH Hospital-Lordshill North): Hillyfields will no longer be served, the nearest alternative being the 17B from Adanac Park. New timetable.
You may not be aware that Xelabus run free buses in several parts of our region. They usually only run a couple of times a week but provide free links to various branches of Asda and Tesco. Check their website to see if one serves your area.
Talking of Asda, Bluestar 18 (Millbrook-Hightown) now stops on Portland Terrace in the City Centre next to the Asda entrance, on journeys towards Hightown.
Velvet's fares go up on Sunday 15th May, but they've helpfully published the new fares for all of their routes.
The Solent Travelcard also gets more expensive on Sunday 15th May, rising to £7 a day or £27 a week for travel on all bus operators across South Hampshire. To compensate, it has joined Facebook.
3 (City Centre-Townhill Park): Timetable change to improve reliability, especially during rush hours.
5 (City Centre-Lordshill North): Sunday service withdrawn.
7A (City Centre-Millbrook Tesco): Withdrawn. Section of route between City Centre and Bassett Green will still run as service 7. Passengers needing to travel between Portswood/Swaythling and the General Hospital can still use Unilink U6. Passengers for Millbrook and Shirley will have to go via the City Centre.
8 (Lordshill-Townhill Park): Timetable change to connect better with fast trains to London from Central Station. Evening buses to Lordshill are withdrawn. Chartwell Green will no longer be served on Sundays.
9/9A/9B (City Centre-Hightown): Route change in City Centre. Outbound buses will run via Bargate Street, Portland Terrace, Civic Centre Road and New Road to Six Dials and then as before.
10/10A (Lordshill-Thornhill): Extra buses on Saturday mornings and Sunday daytimes.
11A/11C/12A/12C (City Centre-Sholing): Reorganised so that all buses via Bitterne will be numbered 11 and all buses via Woolston will be numbered 12. Higher frequency via Bitterne, lower frequency via Woolston. New route in City Centre.
17/17A/17B (City Centre-Lordshill): Weekday daytime combined frequency increased to every 7-8 minutes, in line with the competing Bluestar 18 (Millbrook-Hightown).
21 (RSH Hospital-Lordshill North): Hillyfields will no longer be served, the nearest alternative being the 17B from Adanac Park. New timetable.
You may not be aware that Xelabus run free buses in several parts of our region. They usually only run a couple of times a week but provide free links to various branches of Asda and Tesco. Check their website to see if one serves your area.
Talking of Asda, Bluestar 18 (Millbrook-Hightown) now stops on Portland Terrace in the City Centre next to the Asda entrance, on journeys towards Hightown.
Velvet's fares go up on Sunday 15th May, but they've helpfully published the new fares for all of their routes.
The Solent Travelcard also gets more expensive on Sunday 15th May, rising to £7 a day or £27 a week for travel on all bus operators across South Hampshire. To compensate, it has joined Facebook.
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