Thankfully, for most people in the Solent area, half-term has not meant lockdown and that means that bus services are running to their normal School Holiday timetables.
This means that dedicated school buses will not run on their closed contracts. Despite having timetables clearly marked, both Bluestar and morebus have posted news items to remind you that there are ‘half-term’ timetables in effect.
Remember though; if you are using the online planners for any of the bus companies, they should be up to date!
Temporary Service Changes
Over in morebus land, there is also a temporary change due to roadworks in the Canford Heath area.
During the daytime, Sherborn Crescent is closed. This means that morebus routes 5 and 6 are significantly disrupted and as a result morebus will be running a combined service numbered 56.
The 56 runs between roughly 0700 and 1830, with the normal 5 and 6 running outside of these times. The re-surfacing appears to only be in the daytime, meaning the closed stops are only closed when the 56 is running.
The temporary timetable is here and with buses running up to Chalbury Close it is three-point turn somewhere for those using the eastern end of Sherbourne Crescent.
Half-term Travel Offers
If you are travelling in Southampton over half-term, Bluestar has a special group ticket that they generally run on school holidays.
Valid on the 7, 16, 17 and 18 (so basically within the city boundary); five people can travel in a group for just £6.30.
This is not a bad value ticket if you are heading into town to catch a train, visit the socially distanced cinema in WestQuay or just going to town for lunch. It runs until Saturday 31st October (strangely not including the Sunday, which is still half term) so grab a discount while you can.
Unusually though, Stagecoach South do not seem to be advertising any of their school holiday group tickets. Often you will find “Buy and Adult Dayrider and get a Child for 10p” type offer, but I have not seen it in any of the buses I have been travelling in over the last few weeks; and I do 5 or 6 days a week!
Please Stay Safe this Half Term
Remember to wear your face coverings, please don’t harass the drivers, and remember that not everyone can wear a mask.
We are thankful that the Solent and south area is not in Tier 2 or 3, let’s keep it that way!