Fareham - Gosport corridors

Today's blog entry compares the frequency of services in and around the Fareham and Gosport area. Please note, not all of the workings have been confirmed - thus we still await some of the exact routes of the new services.

The average Monday - Saturday daytime service

Frequency has been increased            Frequency has stayed the same       Frequency has been decreased

Corridor	Frequency of Existing Network	Frequency of New Network
Fareham - Gosport (all services)	17 buses per hour (E1, E2, 34, 83, 85, 87, 88)	18 buses per hour (E1, E2, 5, 6, 9, 9A, 10, 11)
Fareham - Stubbington	3 buses per hour (33, 34, weekdays 35)	3 buses per hour (5, 5A, weekdays 21)
Fareham - Hill Head	2 buses per hour (33, weekdays 35)	2 buses per hour (5A, weekdays 21)
Fareham - Lee on Solent	2 buses per hour (34, 36)	3 buses per hour (5, 6)
Fareham - Brockhurst	2 buses per hour (83)	4 buses per hour (9A, 10, 11)
Fareham - Stokes Bay	2 buses per hour (88)	2 buses per hour (9 I think)
Fareham - Alverstoke	No buses	2 buses per hour (9)
Fareham - Rowner	1 bus per hour (87)	4 buses per hour (9, 9A)
Fareham - Bridgemary (Gregson Avenue)	3 buses per hour (85) - also 8 per hour on BRT	5 buses per hour to Gregson Avenue (9, 9A, 10) - also 8 per hour on BRT
Fareham - Bridgemary (Nobes Avenue)	3 buses per hour (85) - also 8 per hour on BRT	1 bus per hour (10)  - also 8 per hour on BRT
Fareham - Fareham College	4 buses per hour (34, weekdays 35, 83)	4 buses per hour (5, 5A, 9)
Fareham - Highlands	about 6 buses an hour (26, 28, 93, 93A, 94, 95, 95A)	about 6 buses an hour (6, 6A, 20, 26, 28)
Stubbington - Lee on Solent	2 buses per hour (4, 34)	2 buses per hour (4, 5)
Gosport - Lee on Solent	3 buses per hour (4, 34, 87A)	4 buses per hour (4, 5, 6)
Gosport - Elson	6 buses per hour (E1, 83)	7 buses per hour (E1, 9A, 11 possibly)
Gosport - Privett Road	4 buses per hour (4, 34, 88)	6 buses per hour (4, 5, 6, 9)
Gosport - Alverstoke	1 bus direct (30)	2 buses per hour (9)
Gosport - Royal Clarence Yard	1 bus direct (29)	1 bus per hour (11)
Fareham - Wych Lane BRT	8 buses per hour (E1, E2, peak X88s)	9 buses per hour (E1, E2, 10)
Fareham - Warsash	1 bus per hour (4A)	3 buses every 2 hours (4A, 28)

 

The average Sunday daytime service

Frequency has been increased            Frequency has stayed the same       Frequency has been decreased

Corridor	Frequency of Existing Network	Frequency of New Network
Fareham - Gosport (all services)	10 buses per hour (E1, E2, 34, 83, 85, 88)	8 buses per hour (E1, E2, 5, 9, 9A, 11)
Fareham - Stubbington	1 bus per hour (34)	1 bus per hour (5)
Fareham - Hill Head	No buses	No buses
Fareham - Lee on Solent	1 bus per hour (34)	1 bus per hour (5)
Fareham - Brockhurst	2 buses per hour (83)	2 buses per hour (9A, 11)
Fareham - Stokes Bay	1 bus per hour (88)	1 bus per hour (9 I think)
Fareham - Alverstoke	No buses	1 bus per hour (9)
Fareham - Rowner	No buses	2 buses per hour (9, 9A)
Fareham - Bridgemary (Gregson Avenue)	2 buses per hour (85) - also 4 per hour on BRT	2 buses per hour to Gregson Avenue (9, 9A) - also 4 per hour on BRT
Fareham - Fareham College	1 bus per hour (34)	2 buses per hour (5, 9)
Fareham - Highlands	1 bus per hour (93, 95A)	2 buses per hour (6, 6A)
Stubbington - Lee on Solent	2 buses per hour (4, 34)	2 buses per hour (4, 5)
Gosport - Lee on Solent	2 buses per hour (4, 34)	2 buses per hour (4, 5)
Gosport - Elson	6 buses per hour (E1, 83)	6 buses per hour (E1, 9A, 11 possibly)
Gosport - Privett Road	3 buses per hour (4, 34, 88)	3 buses per hour (4, 5, 9)
Gosport - Alverstoke	Infrequent service	1 buses per hour (9)
Gosport - Royal Clarence Yard	Infrequent service	1 bus per hour (11)
Fareham - Wych Lane BRT	4 buses per hour (E1, E2)	4 buses per hour (E1, E2)

Thanks for viewing - any comments or updates please let me know.

Corridor Comparison

Following requests, I've done a frequency break down of the Portsmouth section of the new changes. Again I can't promise everything to be correct, as I have no inside knowledge of First Hants & Dorset. I've colour coded the boxes to indicate whether they've stayed level (no change, or +1/-1), improved (at least +2 buses per hour), or decreased (at least -2 buses per hour).

 I'll move onto Gosport and Fareham later on next week.

You're average Mon - Sat daytime frequency

Corridor	Frequency of Existing Network	Frequency of New Network
Fareham - Portchester	7 (ish) buses per hour (1A, X4, 5, 63)	6 buses per hour (3, 3A, X4)
Fareham - QA Hospital	Monday - Friday about 1 bus per hour (63)	4 buses per hour (3, 3A)
Fareham - Cosham	4 buses per hour (1A, 5)	4 buses per hour (3, 3A)
Fareham - Portsmouth City Centre	6 buses per hour (1A, X4, 5)	6 buses per hour (3, 3A, X4)
Fareham - The Hard	4 buses per hour (X4, 5)	6 buses per hour (3, 3A, X4)
Fareham - Southsea	4 buses per hour (1A, 5)	No buses
Paulsgrove shops - Portsmouth City Centre	6 fast (1, 1A, 5) and 4 slow (1C)	12 buses per hour (2, 3, 3A)
QA Hospital - Portsmouth City Centre	3 fast (weekdays X42, 45A), 4 buses per hour (slow) - (1C)	14 buses per hour (2, 3, 3A, X9)
QA Hospital - The Hard	2 fast (weekdays X42)	14 buses per hour (2, 3, 3A, X9)
Waterlooville - Portsmouth City Centre	12 buses on weekdays (40, 41, X42, 45, 45A)	12 buses per hour (7, 8, X9)
Cosham - Portsmouth City Centre (direct)	16 buses per hour (1, 1A, 5, 40, 41, 45, 45A)	20 buses per hour (2, 3, 3A, 7, 8)
Cosham - Southsea	6 buses per hour NOT via City Centre (1C, 3) 10 buses per hour via City Centre (1, 1A, 5, 40)	6 buses per hour (7)
Portsmouth City Centre - The Hard	26 buses per hour (X4, 5, 14, 15, 17, 18, 41, X42)	27 buses per hour (1, 2, 3, 3A, X4, 8, X9, 15)
Portsmouth City Centre - Southsea shops	10 buses per hour (1, 1A, 5, 40, plus infrequent route 19)	12 buses per hour (1, 7, plus infrequent 19)
The Hard - South Parade Pier	4 buses per hour (6)	6 buses per hour (1)
Portsmouth City Centre - Fratton	9 buses an hour direct (13, 18)	8 buses an hour (1, 13)
Portsmouth City Centre - Eastney	10 buses an hour (1C, 17)	12 buses an hour (1, 2)
Old Portsmouth - City Centre	infrequent service on route 19	6 buses an hour (1)
Southsea shops - Fratton	2 buses an hour (3)	2 buses an hour (Zero)

 

You're average Sunday daytime frequency

I've colour coded the boxes to indicate whether they've stayed level (no change), improved (by any amount), or decreased (by any amount).

Corridor	Frequency of Existing Network	Frequency of New Network
Fareham - Portchester	1 bus per hour (5A)	2 buses per hour (3, 3A)
Fareham - QA Hospital	No buses	2 buses per hour (3, 3A)
Fareham - Cosham	1 bus per hour (5A)	2 buses per hour (3, 3A)
Fareham - Portsmouth City Centre	1 bus per hour (5A)	2 buses per hour (3, 3A)
Fareham - The Hard	1 bus per hour (5A)	2 buses per hour (3, 3A)
Fareham - Southsea	1 bus per hour (5A)	No buses
Paulsgrove shops - Portsmouth City Centre	3 fast (1, 5A) and 2 slow (1C)	6 buses per hour (2, 3, 3A)
QA Hospital - Portsmouth City Centre	2 slow (1C)	6 buses per hour (2, 3, 3A)
QA Hospital - The Hard	No buses	6 buses per hour (2, 3, 3A)
Waterlooville - Portsmouth City Centre	6 buses per hour (40, 41)	6 buses per hour (7, 8)
Cosham - Portsmouth City Centre (direct)	9 buses per hour (1, 5A, 40, 41)	12 buses per hour (2, 3, 3A, 7, 8)
Cosham - Southsea	3 buses per hour NOT via City Centre (1C, 3) 6 buses per hour via City Centre (1, 1A, 5, 40)	3 buses per hour (7)
Portsmouth City Centre - The Hard	13 buses per hour (5A, 13, 14, 16A, 17, 18, 41)	12 buses per hour (1, 2, 3, 3A, 8)
Portsmouth City Centre - Southsea shops	6 buses per hour (1, 5A, 40)	6 buses per hour (1, 7)
The Hard - South Parade Pier	3 buses per hour (6, 16A)	4 buses per hour (1, 16)
Portsmouth City Centre - Fratton	4 buses an hour direct (13, 18)	4 buses an hour (1, 13)
Portsmouth City Centre - Eastney	5 buses an hour (1C, 17)	6 buses an hour (1, 2)
Old Portsmouth - City Centre	1 bus per hour (16A)	4 buses an hour (1, 16)
Southsea shops - Fratton	1 bus per hour (3)	1 buses an hour (Zero)

Corridors...

This is a rough and estimated guide to the frequencies of buses in and around Portsmouth, following the changes. I reserve the right to have made mistakes. When a map is released, I'm sure all will be clear.

Please note: these are the frequencies on the new First network. I haven't taken into account Stagecoach services.

The Hard - Old Portsmouth - 6 an hour (route 1)

The Hard - Southsea, South Parade Pier - 12 an hour (route 1, short via Old Portsmouth, long via City Centre)

The Hard - City Centre - 27 buses an hour

The Hard and Portsmouth City Centre - Fareham - 6 buses an hour (2x X4s, 3x route 3s with a 3A also)

Portsmouth City Centre - Cosham - 22 buses an hour

Portsmouth City Centre - QA Hospital - 12 buses an hour (route 2, route 3/3A, route X9)

The Hard and Portsmouth City Centre - Paulsgrove shops - 8 buses an hour (routes 2 and 3)

The Hard - Eastney - 18 buses an hour

Portsmouth City Centre - Eastney - 19 buses an hour

Fareham - QA Hospital - 4 buses an hour (route 3/3A)

Fareham - Havant - 0 buses an hour

Fareham - Portchester - 6 buses an hour (3x route 3s, and 2x X4s. One 3A also goes to Portsdown Inn)

Fareham - Cosham - 4 buses an hour (route 3/3A only)

Southsea shops - Fratton - 2 buses an hour (route Zero)

Southsea shops / South Parade Pier - Fareham - 0 buses an hour

South Parade Pier buses in any direction - 12 route 1s, 6 route 7s

Portsmouth City Centre - Waterlooville - 12 buses an hour (route 7, route 8, route X9)

Interesting times ahead!

The new Portsmouth network

The new, long-awaited Portsmouth network has been announced. Copied below is the press release from First Hampshire & Dorset...

Some of the key features of the changes are: 
� More frequent services on key corridors, making it easier to catch buses without having to remember to consult timetables;
� More interchange points. The regions three transport hubs - The Hard, Commercial Road South and Cosham - will be better used. Many buses will pass through these points and customers will be able to transfer easily onto other services, as required, from them;
� Emphasise is being placed on timing buses, where possible, to create better interchanges with the Gosport Ferry; 
� Some new links between key destinations will be established, many following customer requests - for instance improved access to the QA Hospital from Fareham and Gosport;
� Overall there will be more buses operating on a commercial basis during the evening, replacing, in many respects, some of the journeys that were lost when local authority funding for evening journeys was reduced in 2011. 

Specifics of the changes in East Hampshire:

While Services 4/4A/X4,15, 19/19A, 26, 52, 145, 649, 651/ 652, X40, X41 and E1/E2 will remain as they are, the following services will all change: 1/1A/1C, 3, 4, 5/5A, 6/6A, 8, 9, 11/11A, 12, 13 14, 16A, 17/18, 28, 33, 34, 35, 36, 40, 41, 45/45A, 53, 63, 83, 85, 87/87A, 88, 93/93A, 94/94A, 95/95A, X42, X88. Instead of these the following will be created: 

Service 0: A new Service 0 will be created. Operating between Hilsea / Tipner, North End, Copnor Bridge, Southsea and Fratton it will provide a link between most parts of Portsea Island with St Marys Hospital, and will also establish a new link between Tipner and Fratton. Buses will run every 30 minutes in each direction during the day (Monday to Saturday), and every 60 minutes in each direction on Sundays and weekday evenings. 

Service 1: Operating between The Hard, the City Centre, Fratton, Eastney, Highlands Road, South Parade Pier, Southsea and Old Portsmouth, buses will run every 10 minutes during the day (Monday to Saturday), every 20 minutes on Sundays and every 30 minutes during the evening. It will offer a frequent service linking a number of the main shopping districts, and evening journeys will be timed to connect with both the arrival and departure of the Gosport Ferry. 

Service 2: Serving The Hard, the City Centre, Albert Road, Eastney, Copnor, Hilsea, Cosham, the QA Hospital, Paulsgrove and Hillsley Road, buses will operate every 10 minutes during the day (Monday to Saturday), every 20 minutes on Sundays and every 30 minutes during the evening. There will be a direct link between St Marys Hospital and the QA Hospital and evening journeys will be timed to connect with both the arrival and departure of the Gosport Ferry. 

Service 3/3A: Buses will operate between The Hard, the City Centre, Lake Road, North End, Hilsea, Cosham, the QA Hospital, Paulsgrove, Portsdown Inn / Portchester, with some journeys on Service 3 extended to Fareham, via White Hart Lane and journeys on 3A extended to Fareham via North Portchester. Buses will run every 10 minutes during the day Monday to Saturday (every 20 minutes to Fareham on Service 3, and hourly on Service 3A), every 20 minutes on Sundays (hourly to Fareham) and every 30 minutes during the evening (hourly to Fareham). As a result the frequency of buses serving Portsdown Inn will be improved, while regular journeys will also operate between Fareham and the QA Hospital and between Paulsgrove and The Hard " responding to passenger demand for services in these areas. In addition the combination of Services 2 and 3/3A will collectively improve the frequency of buses between Paulsgrove and Cosham as a whole, with buses running along common sections of the route every five minutes during the day Monday to Saturday. 

Service 5/5A: Serving Gosport, Cherque Farm, Lee-on-the-Solent, Stubbington, Greyshott Avenue and Fareham, the new Service 5 will follow the same route as the current Service 34. Taken in tandem with the new Service 5A though, which will operate between Fareham, Greyshott Avenue, Stubbington and Hill Head, customers will find buses between Stubbington and Fareham running every 30 minutes during the day.

Service 6: Running between Highlands, Fareham, Asda, Cherque Farm, Lee-on-the-Solent and Gosport, Service 6 will operate every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday. On Sundays buses will run hourly between Fareham and Gosport only. The introduction of this route vastly improves the frequency of buses to Lee-on-the-Solent as, when seen in combination with the existing Service 4 (Gosport - Warsash - Southampton) and the new Service 5/5A (as detailed above), it will increase the number of buses serving the area (from three buses an hour to four buses an hour). The new Service 6 will also provide a direct link from Highlands to Asda, Lee-on-the-Solent, the War Memorial Hospital and Gosport, and will connect more effectively with the ferry service. 

Service 6A: Operating between Highlands and Fareham, the new Service 6A will combine much of the existing Services 95 and 95A. It will run in the opposite direction to Service 6 and will help to maintain a 15 minute frequency of buses to and from Highlands. 

Service 7/7C: Operating between South Parade Pier, Southsea, the University of Portsmouth, the city centre, Lake Road, North End, Cosham, Crookhorn, Waterlooville and Wecock Farm, Service 7 will be the new number assigned to what is, at present, Service 40. Buses will operate every 10 minutes during the day (Monday to Saturday), every 20 minutes on Sundays and every 30 minutes during the evening. The changes constitute an improvement in frequency from one bus every 15 minutes, to one bus every 10 minutes. When taken in conjunction with the new Service 3 the two routes will offer a combined frequency of one bus every five minutes between Cosham, North End and the City Centre. Additionally Service 7C will also provide a dedicated link between South Downs College and Cosham, running every half an hour during the college day.

Service 8: Serving The Hard, the City Centre, Stamshaw, Cosham, Waterlooville, Cowplain, Horndean and Clanfield, the new service 8 will operate every 15 minutes during the day Monday to Saturday and every 20 minutes on Sundays. In the evenings buses will run every 30 minutes between The Hard and Cosham, extending to Clanfield on an hourly basis. 

Service 9/9A: A new Service 9/9A is being created to serve West End, Fareham, Bridgemary, Rowner, Alverstoke, Elson and Gosport. Buses will operate every 15 minutes during the day (Monday to Saturday) along core sections of the route, with buses running every 30 minutes on Sundays and during the evening. The changes mean that a new link between Alverstoke and Fareham is being created, and that the frequency of buses between Rowner and Fareham will improve, from one bus every 30 minutes at present, to one bus every 15 minutes from 18 November onwards.

Service X9: Running between The Hard, the City Centre, along the M275, to the QA Hospital, to Purbrook, Waterlooville, Denmead and Hambledon, the new Service X9 will provide a fast, frequent connection six days a week. Designed to appeal to commuters and those who want to get in and out of the city quickly, buses will operate every 30 minutes throughout the day (Monday to Saturday). Every other journey will be extended to serve Hambledon, giving residents there an hourly service. Service X9 wont operate during the evenings or on Sundays. 

Service 10: Serving Fareham, Bridgemary, Rowner Road, Spring Garden Lane and Gosport buses on this service will operate on an hourly basis Monday to Saturday daytime. The route, which will run in addition to the highly successful and popular Eclipse BRT service, which operates close by, is intended to complement the other bus routes in the area - specifically Services E1 and E2 - and give people a choice over which service they catch. The company considers though that majority of commuters will prefer to catch services E1 and E2 if they wish to travel to Gosport or Fareham though. 

Service 11: A new Service 11 is being created to serve Fareham, Royal Clarence Yard and Gosport. Operating via the A32, buses will operate hourly during the day Monday to Saturday. The route will work in conjunction with Service 10 (detailed above) to provide buses every 30 minutes between Gosport and the Brockhurst Roundabout though. The creation of the service establishes a new bus link between Royal Clarence Yard and Fareham. 

Service 12: Operating under contract to Portsmouth City Council this service will provide a link between Port Solent, Paulsgrove, the QA Hospital, Cosham and Highbury. Buses on Service 12 will operate every 30 minutes throughout the day Monday " Saturday and hourly on Sundays. 

Service 13/14: Following the route of the existing Service 13/14 there will be fewer changes here for customers to get used to. Service 13 will continue to serve the City Centre, Fratton, Milton, St Marys Hospital while Service 14 will operate between The Hard, the City Centre, Arundel Street, North End, Copnor Bridge and Baffins. The frequency of buses will change slightly though as both services will run every 30 minutes Monday " Saturday daytime, and every hourly on Sundays from 18 November. The change in frequency represents a slight reduction (from one bus every 20 minutes to one bus every 30 minutes) for people who currently use the existing Service 14.

Service 16: Operating on Sundays only, under contract to Portsmouth City Council, Service 16 will serve The Hard, Old Portsmouth, Clarence Pier, South Parade Pier, Eastney and the Hayling Ferry on an hourly basis. Buses will no longer serve Commercial Road South on this route (as the current Service 16A does) but instead customers wishing to travel to that part of Portsmouth will need to change buses at The Hard to connect with any of the following: Services 1, 2 or 3. 

Service 20: Serving Fareham, Highlands, Funtley, Knowle and Wickham, Service 20 will be the new number assigned to what is, at present, Service 94/94A. Buses will, however, follow a slightly revised route from the current Service 94/94A calling at Knowle Village on all journeys before travelling on from Knowle to Wickham via the A32. The frequency of buses will remain roughly the same, with buses running hourly throughout the day Monday " Saturday. Notably one morning and afternoon journey will be extended to serve Wickham School, as per the current arrangement. 

Service 21: Serving Fareham, Newgate Lane, Stubbington and Hill Head, Service 21 will cover what is, at present, Service 33. It will operate during the off peak only (ie between circa 0920 and 1905 hours Monday to Friday). 

Service 22: Serving Farlington, Drayton, Cosham and on an alternate basis either Medina Road or the QA Hospital, Leominster Road and Paulsgrove Shops, this new service will provide a regular, half hourly service (Monday " Saturdays) along common sections of the route. On Sundays buses will operate between Farlington and Paulsgrove Shops only, running hourly throughout the day. 

Service 28: Taking into account customer feedback First is amending its existing Service 28 route, which operates between Fareham, Highlands, Whiteley and Locks Heath, and is extending the route to also serve Warsash. In doing this it has also included a loop around Church Road (taking into account the local residents requests for it to do so) and similarly has created some journeys that operate both earlier and later in the day than at present. Overall the frequency of buses remains roughly the same with buses running every two hours during the day Monday to Saturday. 

To support the launch of the new East Hampshire network First intends to hold a number of customer-facing events in Portsmouth, Gosport and Fareham over the October half term (week commencing 29 October); details of these events will be made available on this website in the coming weeks, and will be publicised locally through the Travel Shops.

We'll be looking at more of how the changes affect key corridor frequencies, and remembering the existing network over the coming weeks.

Lost Berkshire Post

Hi all,

I've just pulled a post about First Berkshire. We've recently had a discussion on the FHD forum about speculation and I feel that parts would be unwelcome. It may return later. A replacement post may be posted later this week,

Thanks for viewing,
James

Sunday Lost Scenes... Sunday 23rd September

There really is only one place to remember today - and that is to mark the end of First services in North Devon.

Lynton, 2004

Bude, 2004

Bideford, 2004

 Great Torrington, 2006

Bideford, 2006

South Molton, 2007

Bude, 2008

Appledore, 2010

Bideford, 2010

A very apt photo for the end of services in North Devon, as the X9 Exeter to Bude Atlantic Coast Express comes off from Bude, to head back to Stratton outstation for one last time. This view was actually taken in 2010, but the sentiment is the same.

Remembering the Vectis Solo...

Southern Vectis are in the process of receiving 17 brand new Optare Solo SRs. These buses are replacing the existing Optare Solos and adding further capacity for the Island's school bus network, and have been purchased as part of the contract with Isle of Wight Council. The new Solo SRs wear "Vectis Blue" livery - a kind of amalgamation of the different blue fleet brands on the Isle of Wight, used on school service, private hire, and the more marginal fleet routes that are operated by the school fleet. This post looks at the short history of the green Southern Vectis Solo.

Initially, Solos were very hard to find. Only a couple were on the island, and they tended to operate route 25 (East Cowes to Newport via Folly Inn). This was my first shot of a Solo - 2632 (S632JRU), pictured heading for Newport bus station on 3rd June 2011.

As more Solos arrived, they tended to settle down on a wider variety of ordinary service work as well as school services. The 37 (Ryde circular, via Binstead and Haylands) was a regular. 2638 (T638AJT) illustrates this view, as it heads along Ryde seafront on a sunny November day.

Southern Vectis took over a variety of former Wightbus routes from late 2011. The  Wightbus fleet of Darts was inherited by Southern Vectis, and in turn former Wilts & Dorset Optare Solos were used on the acquired routes. On a freezing day in February 2012, 2615 (R615NFX) loads passengers as it goes the rural way to Newport, via Newbridge. All of the acquired services only operate Monday to Friday, coinciding with school routes. This means that the costs of running the bus are more viable. Therefore, the majority of the new Blue SRs will only be seen Monday - Friday, as the marginal routes do not run at the weekend. Whether this will change is open to debate, as I'm sure the travelling public would not like to see a brand new fleet of 62-plated buses sitting out of service at the weekend. 

Another one of the marginal routes - this time the 24 Lake to Yaverland route. Solo 2618 (R618NFX) is pictured loading passengers in Sandown.

The last one for now - 2644 (T644AJT) is pictured heading for Shanklin Esplanade on route 22. The Solos are moving back to the mainland as the Solo SRs are introduced - it will be interesting to see if these are sold outside of Go Ahead or found new homes around the south coast.

Many thanks for viewing. There are a few websites already showing the SRs in service - try these links below if you are interested. I should be bringing photos of a few of the new buses over the coming weeks.

Southernbus on Flickr

IOW BOY on Flickr

IslandYorkie on Flickr

Sunday Lost Scenes

Today's post marks highlights the end of a bus in service with Solent Blue Line since 1999...

Solent Blue Line 774 - T744JPO - Portswood Broadway - 4th January 2010

The days of Dennis Trident operation with Solent Blue Line are over. The last few Dennis Tridents allocated to Eastleigh have moved to Wilts & Dorset's Salisbury depot, in turn removing the last step entry DAF SB250/Optare Spectras from service.

8 Dennis Tridents were introduced to Solent Blue Line in 1999, and were the first low floor double deckers in service in Hampshire, I believe. They entered service in a rather attractive low floor variant of Solent Blue Line's Yellow and Two-Tone Blue livery. During 2004, all were repainted in the blue illustrated above, albeit just wearing Solent Blue Line fleet names. These were replaced by BlueStar with the introduction of the new network, and they've looked this way ever since.

Wilts & Dorset now operate the Spectras on school contracts and to fill in for other low floor double deckers. They've been noted replacing Omnicitys on the X5 to Pewsey or the 8 to Andover, as well as replacing Spectras on the trip to Southampton on the X7. Indeed, Southampton residents still see occasional Tridents in the city, as one tends to be allocated on the X7 every other day at present. 

As a photographer, I'll miss them as they provided decent variety. The photo of 774 above was my first photo taken in 2010, so it has sentimental value. In addition, I feel Solent Blue Line may miss them. Later on in the year, sources indicate new double deckers are due for route 1 (Winchester to Southampton) with the existing Omnicities being cascaded onto the 2, with the Volvo B7TLs taking the Tridents' place on school and college routes and filling other routes. Until that time, there may be a slight shortage of double deckers at Eastleigh. At least they've got plenty of Citaros...

Millbrook Flyer

First Southampton have been running their Millbrook Flyer for 5 or so months now. The X2 was brought in as part of the Southampton network revisions in April this year. The 2 and the X2 each run every 10 minutes, forming a 5 minute frequency between Millbrook and Southampton. This is more than BlueStar's 8 buses an hour, plus the X2 is more direct.

First have branded four of their 1997 batch of Dennis Dart SLFs as the Millbrook Flyer. It certainly stands out in Southampton, and with buses buzzing around in each direction, it is quite visible. PVR appears to be 5 - at least on a Saturday (the frequency is the same Mon-Fri) - a former Glasgow Dart was the fifth bus on the route on Saturday just-gone. Here is 42527 (R427WPX), numerically the last WPX, heading for Southampton Central rail station around Saturday lunch time.

This route really puts the "first bus that turns up" or the "quickest route" philosophy to the test. First's Dart SLFs are 8 to 9 years older than BlueStar's Citaros, bit with their shiny paintwork and dedicated branding, appearances can be disturbing. Here is 42525 (R425WPX) loading passengers at Southampton Central railway station.

Here's the competition - many Mercedes-Benz Citaros recently transferred up the coast from sister company Wilts & Dorset. 2423 (HF06FTT) was new to Wilts & Dorset as their 173 back in 2006, and is one of several many smart Citaros in service with BlueStar. Indeed, Southampton has almost turned into Citaro City - with BlueStar livered Citaros operating regularly on routes 4, 9, 12 and 18, along with occasional services on the 2, 3, 6, 8, 10 and 11.

I doubt we'd ever get any public figures released by BlueStar or First to compare their figures, but this little case study would certainly be interesting. Indeed, First's new network has also seen the creation of further new services for both sides - First's 7 has been increased in frequency, and they've launched their new 11 to Hythe. BlueStar have launched the new 16, and new double deckers are possibly coming in on the 1 later this year. First also have further new arrivals on their way come the turn of the year. Interesting times ahead... again!

Sunday Lost Scenes - Sunday 9th September

Today's Sunday Lost Scenes barely feels as if it was yesterday...

First Hants & Dorset 31826 - P926RYO - Totton (Asda) - 21st October 2008

From the winter of 2005/6 until late 2010, First Hampshire operated a number of former Go Ahead Volvo Olympians on the Southampton City Services. All were original to London companies - be it London Central or Metrobus. P926RYO was one of a number that originated with the former, and it is pictured here, retaining the London roller blinds and dual door layout as it heads past the Asda in Totton.

All of the buses have since moved out of Southampton. Indeed only former Metrobus example N528LHG remains at First Hants & Dorset - down at Weymouth in open top form - with the rest having moved predominantly to Cornwall. Furthermore, route 4 is no more - becoming First Southampton's route 10 in the big shake up earlier this more.

This photo, despite being from four years ago, also brings us onto a very present development. First Hants & Dorset are launching their route 11 from the 7th October also through Totton. Consequently, First will have two routes though Totton:

• route 10 - Southampton - Shirley - Aldermoor - Millbrook - Totton
• route 11 - Southampton - Millbrook - Totton - Marchwood - Hythe

This marks the first venture into Hythe for the Southampton Citybus network (although they have operated shopper buses and school service in the past). It will also mean both BlueStar's and First's routes 10 and 11 pass through Totton. I hope this doesn't become confusing for the customer - with one white bus and one blue bus you would hope not, anyway. Interesting times ahead in Southampton... and that's before any of the new buses due later this year / early in 2013.

* Note - apologies for lack of posts recently. I've been out and about taking many but haven't had the time to process them correctly or write blog posts. Thus, over the next month or so, I'll release them in drips and drabs, and hopefully do a couple of posts or so a week.