Although I have in the past, berated Xelabus quite sternly, for a lack of information and updating their website; they might have changed! This week the Xelabus website has details of changes to some of it’s services from Sunday 04 January, which means that come the new year commute, some buses will change. New timetables are not yet available, albeit for everyone not on the Internet the new timetable books are advertised as being available from Mid-December.
I know. That means that the likes of you and me might not get to see them at any time before New Years Day, but as long as the locals that use the buses actually get a chance to hear in advance, I am all for it.
Changes to X9
Changes to the X9 between Bishops Waltham, Hedge End and Eastleigh and it’s college only X9a for Swanmore College, will cut off some of the existing customer base. Unlike many operators across the South though, Xelabus are happy to make a clear point that alternative operators are available.
The first change is that alternate journeys through Holton Heath will now use Burnetts Road instead of Botley Road.
Making assumptions from the text on the Xelabus news article, this is route I think it is taking, passing by Chalcroft Business Park and meeting up with the X10 on Bubb Lane.
Alternate journeys will operate along Burnetts lane between Horton Heath Crossroads and Bubb Lane. These will be for Monday to Friday.
From the Xelabus website
The other point is that this is a weekday only change. I wonder if there is a demand in the area to get to Chalcroft either for workers or customers?
The X9 will also be diverted in the Bishops Waltham area.
From the information that is available, Cricklemede will only (as Xelabus helpfully tell us) will only be served by Stagecoach’s service 69 between Winchester and Fareham. Yes I am complimenting Xelabus, I know, I am not reacting to my COVID Booster!
The X9 will from Janaury, follow roughly the route of the First Solent SD4 which runs for Havant College. This takes it up Free Street to the main B3035 Lower Lane. I presume that this means the X9 will continue around Bishops Waltham and past Bishops Waltham Pond, but the fact that Xelabus have a fleet of smaller vehicles it might even go through the top of the village.
Changes to the X15
From January 4th; service X15 between Hamble, Hedge End and Eastleigh will also see a change of route, in the Hedge End area.
I think that someone at Xelabus has pressed their carriage return key before completing the details; it merely says
All journeys will operate at Hedge End via Freegrounds Avenue and Freegrounds Road in both directions. Hobb Lane and Upper Northam Road.
From the Xelabus website
You can only assume, as I have done, that this means Hobb Lane and Upper Northam Road will not be served, which my route mock-up would indicate is likely.
BUT
…. and this is a big credit to Xelabus. They are getting ahead of the game, they are back to offering service changes 56 days ahead which is what bus companies really need to get back to in the majority of circumstances. We are no longer needing to have immediate changes due to lockdowns [No…. have I just jinxed it?] and the fact that 95% of passengers are likely to disappear overnight.