Passenger numbers have dropped significantly in light of the second national lockdown. As I commute across the Solent region – in line with the regulations – even the run up to the current phase of the Government’s response was quiet. I still get to sit in train carriages by myself during the day, and now bus operators are feeling the pinch.
Following on from their Basingstoke changes last week, Stagecoach have announced that passenger numbers are so low, some evening journeys on weekdays will be withdrawn.
It does not surprise me.
Talking to some bus drivers, across a few of the South’s depots, the conversations seem to run in similar ways. Numbers are so low that it is starting to affect their sanity; driving a bus for 4 hours and being able to count the number of passengers on their fingers. In contrast though, I have also been in the position of three Eclipse buses whizzing past me on the Fareham Bus Road with “Sorry! Bus Full.”
Changes from Sunday 22nd November
So the Stagecoach changes are – as I already mentioned – Weekday evenings. These are now showing on the Stagecoach COVID page along with the new timetables.
In each case, it appears that a single bus and driver is finishing service up to 2 hours earlier. It might not sound like a lot, but it probably gives enough flexibility to protect against any small outbreak of virus.
Service 1
The cross-city service between Stanmore, the City Centre and Winnall will lose the 1700 from Broadway to Imber Road. This will also mean the 1715 from Broadway to Stanmore is also cancelled, and a few timing changes will even out the service until 1800.
The usual later-evening service will continue until the last round trip to Stanmore at 2140.
Service 3
From 1600, there will be three buses an hour (at 00, 20 and 40) until 1900 and then a reduced service. This replaces the four buses an hour which were not strictly at 15 minute intervals either.
The service will still continue as currently, between 1900 and the last departure at 2310.
Service 5
From 1630, service 5 will now run every 15 minutes (45, 00, 15 and 30) until 1830, and then as per the current timetable.
Spring
Instead of services to Springvale at 1705, 1725, 1750 and 1808; these will now be 1705, 1735 and 1805.
Service 66
Heading out towards Hursley and Romsey:
- The 1805 via Cupernham will now depart at 1810
- The 1835 via Woodley is cancelled
and on the return:
- The 1850 via Cupernham will now depart at 1853
- The 1920 via Woodley is cancelled
Service 16
The 1415 departure to Littleton will now depart at 1405. This will also extend as far as Crawley.
Service 68 (Closed Contract)
The current college only service from Salisbury to Peter Symmonds will have an extra bus running from Stockbridge (only) to PSC at 0832.
This is a college only service, so only students may use service 68 at the moment.
… and Christmas is Coming!
With Christmas not that far away and with the usual service changes that brings; it is not anticipated that these withdrawn journeys will be reinstated at least this side of Christmas.
It’s not all bad news though!
In the little note to me about these changes, Stagecoach are hoping to increase services as per usual on the Winchester Park & Ride.
Details are still to come and are definitely going to be reliant on the end of the current national lockdown ending on 2nd December.
This year, any Sunday service will be from the East Car Park at St Catherines. This is just off Junction 10 of the M3. Winchester City Council still advertise the South Park & Ride site and closed on evenings and Sundays (apart from special events).
As far as I am aware – buses also can not call in at Barfield Park & Ride due to work being done to install a new roundabout.
But it’s not all good news
Something I enjoy doing each year is heading to the Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market. This is probably a nice little revenue stream for Stagecoach in the run up to Christmas.
Due to the COVID uncertainty though – this year the Cathedral Christmas Market is cancelled.
Christmas Timetables
With the start of the festive season coming up fast, the first of the big operators have already announced their Christmas timetables. These are coming soon, once the day job settles down and the world starts turning again.
Until then, stay safe out there, remember your hands, face and space.
I believe Winchester P&R buses will not enter Barfield P&R car park at all in future. Two new stops have been installed in Barfield Close just outside the Car Park, so it will operate in a similar way to the Pitt site. Development of the old cash counting building next to the site is imminent, so I suspect contractors vehicles may make bus access to Barifeld difficult – it has always been a bit of a squeeze. The two new stops are also probably better placed for the new Leisure Centre when it eventually opens.