In line with non-essential retail opening in April, Stagecoach has joined the list of uplifting their services. In Stagecoach South, most depots already have reasonably regular service across their high frequency routes, so it is not surprising to see that although not immediately back to full normal services, Saturdays are getting particular attention.
It’s important to note that in most cases, weekday services across Stagecoach are not quite back to pre-pandemic levels yet. People might think that this is short-sighted when you see Bluestar, more and others heading back to ‘normal’ service. This is a good time to remember that we are not yet fully out of lockdown this weekend, nor are we in a few weeks time.
Changes from 4th April
These changes are being advertised as preparing for non-essential retail opening, so this would suggest that this is the service level that will apply until at least May. This is similar to the message being touted by rail operators – currently managed by the Department for Transport – and would make sense.
Albeit that pubs and restaurants are allowed to open their gardens, albeit that Primark will be open until 10pm alongside Next, H&M and Gunwharf Quays; people will still be either wary of going out or not able to sit inside on a cold night.
There is no point though me going through a long list of Stagecoach South depot areas and saying “Services on Saturday and Sunday are increasing.” It’s a waste of me pressing the same keys on the keyboard and a waste of your eyesight. Most services that previously run late into the evening will again run late into the evening. Most services will still not be at their pre-pandemic levels.
Variations to the “Saturday and Sunday improvements”
Aldershot and Frimley – Slightly outside our area, but if you are heading to Frimley Park Hospital at the weekends, Gold 1 will no longer serve the grounds in the daytime.
Basingstoke – The cross-town service 6, between Winklebury, the Town Centre and Popley will increase on weekdays to run every 10 minutes.
Winchester – Services on routes 3, 5 and Spring will increase on weekdays:
* Service 3 between the City Centre and Harestock will run every 15 minutes on weekdays
* Service 5 between the City Centre and Badger Farm will run every 15 minutes on weekdays
* The Spring to Springvale will run every 30 minutes on weekdays
You can review all the new timetables on the dedicated new pages for each area: