Portsmouth re-tendering leaked

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So I illuded to this yesterday on Twitter, although I was not in a position to write this post. It has though, I believe, answered another question in part.

Someone leaked to local paper the Portsmouth News that the re-tendering results had been announced to the bus operators and First was losing some of it.

Now, I don’t follow the Portsmouth News that much anymore, so I did not know until I was told that First Solent were apologising to drivers. The apology was not for the loss of routes, but for the fact someone (probably) at Portsmouth City Council, blabbed.

The changes

From Sunday 3rd September, the following changes will be effective:

• First Solent will run the 22 – Currently running between Highbury, Cosham and Farlington
• Stagecoach will run:
  • What is currently the 12 between Tipner and Fratton
  • The 13 / 14 between the City, Milton and Baffins
  • The 18 between Paulsgrove, Fratton and Southsea
  • The 25 between Gunwharf, Southsea and Eastney

This may also explain the cancellation of the 2a to Portsmouth College, although it is merely only my speculation.

Now – the disclaimer We do not know if routes, route numbers or timetables will remain the same.

We also presume from First Solent that Stagecoach actually did win the routes and not Xelabus or other. The Portsmouth News quotes Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson on route 18 and 25, but First Solent mentions the rest.

Maybe Cllr Vernon-Jackson has some additional interest in the two routes? Maybe they run past his house?

First Solent did tender an offer for the routes, however from the wording of the Portsmouth News; it seems there was concern over fleet availability and suitability, and staffing. I must admit, back when one of the Optare Solo’s was involved in an altercation at Funtley it showed the vulnerability of a small fleet of vehicle type.