It has been on the cards ever since Go South Coast took over Solent Blue Line, but from 23rd October, BlueStar will take over the Eastleigh - Romsey route from Wilts & Dorset. The old route 65 will now become the newest BlueStar route - BlueStar 5 - and continue to operate in a similar way to the 65 does at the moment.
Here's is a jpeg of the BlueStar route 5 timetable taken off of the website - and as can be seen the service remains largely similar to now-a-days, albeit the timings are altered and the route will now be run from Eastleigh. I am expecting Dennis Tridents in the weekday - especially when Barton Peveril college is open - as BlueStar have to honour their low floor guarantee. However, in the holidays Solos or Darts may take over - we will have to wait and see. Nothing has been confirmed by the company yet.
This will mean an end to one of the most reliable routes to find an ex-Southern Vectis Olympian on though, which will be a shame. Presumably the Olympians will move back to Salisbury, concentrate on the 183/184 and cascade some of the older Olympians to Damory, or the coach fleet or similar. Olympians such as 752 (R752GDL) will venture into Hampshire less and less.
This will also mean an end to Wilts & Dorset buses in service in Eastleigh bus station - although an early morning college service from Romsey - West Wellow and back is to be operated by Wilts & Dorset on route 5.
What will be interesting is the Saturday route 34 connections. The timetable says there is a "direct service" - whether this means buses meeting in Romsey bus station guaranteeing a connection, or BlueStar bus heading off up into Wiltshire on route 34, remains to be confirmed.
Other changes - my old favourite BlueStar 6 - the 56/56A until earlier this year - is being cut to hourly Lymington - Rushington, then half hourly onwards. Maybe this route will be one of the growing trend of routes that has its frequency re-doubled during the summer months - having seen the loads in January earlier this year on the 56/56A, I can completely understand GSC's decision... The 10/11 is being cut to half hourly Southampton - Totton, with only hourly alternating extensions to Cadnam... and the Sunday 8 is being cut... the E1 is being cut back to Eastleigh - Boyatt Wood half hourly and only hourly onto Winchester... the F dropped altogether... the 14 cut back to Bassett Green and renumbered the P1 - presumably for Portswood 1. Maybe the service would be used better if they livered up a Solo in Unilink livery and operated it as the U4 or something and ran it via the Unilink interchange... I don't know. That's why I'm not a bus company manager!
With these times in recession and winter drawing in, I can only hope spring breathes new life into bus services across the region.
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