Xelabus

I look forward to a new bus company starting up. You've got the new buses, the new livery and possibility of new routes - you've got the possibility of the new company ruffling the feathers of a larger company - and, to put it simply, it refreshes the local bus scene. Three years after Velvet were registered, beginning to operate in February on registered routes, Xelabus have arrived, just in time for the February contract retenders.

They are branded as the bus company with traditional values, and hope to expand the fleet and services provided during 2011 and beyond. If you havent seen, Xelabus have a fleet of buses in a traditional two-tone green, black and cream livery, the lower green in particular reminding me of People's Provincial. The fleet consists seven buses at present, consisting of double deckers and Dennis Darts.

Route wise, the following are operated by Xelabus:
* the Asda Totton contracts - previously operated by First Hants & Dorset.
* Monday, Wednesday and Friday routes around Eastleigh, to Boyatt Wood, Nightingale Avenue and Bishopstoke up until Christmas Eve
* the Tesco Burseldon and Tesco Winchester shopper buses - again previously operated by FHD.

The Spotter's Guide to Xelabus:
* MONDAY - Eastleigh town services (one bus operating on a 20min frequency), ASDA buses to Lyndhurst and Romsey arriving in Totton at 1030 and 1135. Xelabus will be operating two buses on the Asda contracts due to demand.


* TUESDAY - Tesco Bursledon shopper bus, one bus serving Locks Heath, West End and Netley, arrving at Burseldon at 0954, 1039, 1142 and 1337, Tesco Winchester shopper bus, with one bus operating to Colden Common, Alresford and Crawley/Sparsholt, arriving at Tesco at 0935, 1035 and 1237  

* WEDNESDAY - Eastleigh town services (one bus operating on a 20min frequency), ASDA bus to Fawley & Hythe and again to Romsey, arriving in Totton at 1035 and 1145 and departing at 1200 and 1320. Xelabus will be operating two buses on the Asda contracts due to demand.


* THURSDAY - Tesco Bursledon shopper bus, one bus serving Locks Heath, West End and Netley, arrving at Burseldon at 0954, 1039, 1142 and 1337, Tesco Winchester shopper bus to Micheldever, arr 0946 and dep Tesco at 1115

* FRIDAY - Eastleigh town services (one bus operating on a 20min frequency), ASDA shoppers bus to Langley & Hythe and Upton Crescent, arriving in Totton at 1033 and 1145, departing at 1205 and 1320. Xelabus will be operating two buses on the Asda contracts due to demand. For full details, please see the timetables.

Over the coming weeks I'm going to try and get some photos of our latest independent to join the south's bus scene. Visit their website here or they have a very good facebook page already - the link is on the website.