New Years Eve 2022

HantsBusBluestar, City Reds, Damory Coaches, First Hampshire & Dorset, First Solent, First Wessex, GoAhead Group, morebus, Salisbury Reds, Seasonal Services, Southern Vectis, Stagecoach South, UniLink, xelabus
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With the end of the year fast approaching; at least in some parts of the region there will be new bus services to get you home at a minute past midnight! While you are out at the local clubs and bars singing Auld Lang Syne and letting off fireworks, I will unfortunately be in bed preparing for the clear-up just a few short hours later. Less about me though, and more about how you might, or might not, be able to get about on the last day of the year.

But first! Thank you to everyone who has been a part of the Hampshire Bus Update this year. Thanks to Clive, Mark, Adam and Nigel. Cheers to Andy, Simon and Solenteer. Blessings for all the anonymous contributions, thousands of readers and viewings of the various pages of dribble I post every few days.

While this is still very much a part of a hobby, rather than any sort of professional journalism, I hope you will all stick around in 2023 while I continue to dribble some more, and hopefully get more of a chance to come out into the towns and cities to be closer to the buses. This year has made it – difficult.

First Bus

City Red (Southampton)

Surprisingly, for a last season in the Southampton City area, First Bus have opted for people not wanting buses after 8pm. That surprises me considering the full Saturday service that the other brands are running and almost feels a little contemptuous of those that might be working or going out New Years Eve evening.

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)

First Solent will run a full Saturday timetable including the new night bus services in the Portsmouth area.

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.

You never know, the driver on the last service 1 might even have a cheeky glass of Alcohol Free Nozeco at midnight!

Go South Coast

The various Go South Coast brands across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight are running a full Saturday daytime service right up until the end of the day. Night Buses will run on Southern Vectis.

UniLink (Southampton)

I know! I keep forgetting to talk about UniLink and I must make it a New Years resolution to do so. The fact that the licence for the Uni-Link services is more generally shown as part of the Go South Coast licence makes me ignorant of remembering it exists!

UniLink are running their Saturday Vacation timetable with an early finish and no U1N night bus.

  • Last U1A and U1C services will depart at 2105 from Southampton Central Station and Southampton Airport Station
  • Last U6C will depart 2033 from Aldermoor and 2035 from NOCS

Stagecoach

Stagecoach will run a full Saturday service but with an early close down. 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

If you are travelling in Portsmouth and Havant tonight, the new late-late Saturday buses do not start until next week and so are not running tonight. In the Portsea Island area of course, First Solent have already started theirs (above).

  • 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.