For all of you that are racing home for Christmas, the best of luck. Having seen the press about rail services this week, almost all rail services will be closed from 3pm on Christmas Eve. The bus services in the region are fairing a little better, so while I dig out my sea sickness tablets for a trip on Wightlink it is time to have a look at how the buses are running on Christmas Eve.
First Bus
The First Bus subsidiaries are largely operating a Saturday service across the network, but with an early shut down across many of the later evening services. Listed below are the times of the last services that will be operating on routes with an earlier shut-down than usual. If your service is not listed, then it is running the full timetable:
City Red (Southampton)
The last season of the City Red brand is in full flow and as usual the early evening run-in begins from 7pm. Unless listed below, First Southampton will run the full Saturday timetable:
- City Red 2 will run it’s last end-to-end trips at 1909 from Weston to City and Millbrook (and will complete the full loop of Millbrook), and 1933 from Millbrook to City and Weston
- Later services from Weston to City (only) at 1929 and 1949
- City Red 3 will run it’s last end-to-end trips at 1919 from Lordshill to Thornhill, and 1920 Thornhill to Lordshill
- A later service will run from Lordshill to City (only) at 1939
- City Red 7 will run it’s last trips at 1943 from the City to Townhill and 1942 from Townhill to the City.
- A later trip at 2002 will run Townhill Park to Portswood Only
Solent (Portsmouth)
- Service 1: 1936 from Southsea – 1942 from Gunwharf
- Service 2: 1940 from Paulsgrove to Gunwharf & 2000 Paulsgrove to Eastney (only)
1945 Gunwharf to Paulsgrove & 2005 Gunwharf to Hilsea Bus Depot (only) - Service 3: 1822 from Fareham to Southsea & 1852 Fareham to Gunwharf (only)
1938 Southsea to Fareham & 2008 Southsea to Gunwharf (only) - The Star 7: 1941 from Wecock Farm – 1945 from Portsmouth Civic Offices
- The Star 8: 1856 from Clanfield – 1940 from Gunwharf
Note: The 1819 and later departures from Gunwharf will complete the full Clanfield loop through to Coombs Close. - Service 18: Only the 2005 from Paulsgrove to Southsea will not run
- Eclipse E1 & E2: 1958 from Fareham (E2) – 1955 from Gosport (E1)
Wessex (Weymouth & Dorset)
It is a full and normal Saturday service. There is no early close down like in other First Bus areas however if you are travelling on the X54 then there is no bus for you today between Weymouth, Wareham, Wool and Poole.
Go South Coast
The various Go South Coast brands across Hampshre, Dorset and the Isle of Wight are running a full Saturday daytime service right up until the end of the day. As it is a Saturday, we need to also point out though that there are no night bus services In Southampton and Newport, and the small number of additional alterations are taking place:
Bluestar
- Bluestar 17 (timetable) and Bluestar 18 (timetable) will run every 12 minutes during the day, and less frequent than usual in the morning and evening.
- The 21:55 Bluestar 16 from town will not run.
Just as an aside, why specifically does the 21:55 B*16 not run? Does it then meander onto the 17 / 18 with a reduced timetable?
Stagecoach
With a slightly more convoluted mix of city and rural services, Stagecoach will run a full Saturday service with rural services leaving their town centres earlier than their suburban counterparts. The last bus details are listed below in the most truncated terms I thought I could get away with. Please check the time of your last bus home!
Andover
- Service 1 to King Arthurs Way at 2035
- Service P20 to Picket Piece at 2110
- Service 76 from Andover at 1950 and Basingstoke at 2050
- The last Activ8 from Andover (2105) will not run BUT Salisbury Reds are running all their trips.
Basingstoke
Last buses will leave the Bus Station or Rail Station between 2030 and 2100 (and a 20 to Vyne Park only at 2115)
Portsmouth & Havant
- From Havant
- Service 21 to Portsmouth at 2000
- Service 23 from Leigh Park at 1955 (2015 from Havant Bus Station)
- Service 31 to Hayling Island at 2000
- Service 39 to Wecock Farm at 2035
- From Portsmouth & Southsea
- Service 21 from Gunwharf at 2037
- Service 23 from Southsea to Havant at 2015 (then 2030 to Bedhampton only)
- Last Hoverbus at 1926 and to City Centre only
- Last 39 from Wecock 2050
Winchester
- Last buses in the city network leave the City Centre between 2010 and 2040
- Service 64: from Winchester at 1920 and Alton at 2015
- Service 66: from Winchester at 2010 and Romsey at 2053
- Service 69: from Winchester at 1825 (to Bishops Waltham only) and Fareham at 1845
Xelabus
Normal Saturday service will operate, through to the close of service.