We are once again at that time of year where the younger children are disappointed at not seeing the big buy, older children are disappointed at how diluted their Christmas breakfast Bucks Fizz is and the turkey may, or may not make it out of the oven.
So while I cheat and make sure the Marks & Spencer slow-cooked turkey and trimmings is resting – if this works it is well worth the premium – let’s check on what’s running…. if all else fails the local Harvester or Beefeater might have a space!
I regret though, I never got a Bus Enthusiasts Spotter Jotter this year, on the plus side, I also did not get a lump of coal.
These Services are Running:
(and no others)
First Bus
First Solent will run a special service in the Portsmouth area.
- Service 1 – Hourly between approx 0800 and 1830
- Service 2 – Hourly between approx 0715 and 2100
- Service 3 – Hourly daytime service with some additional early morning and early evening short trips for QA
- The Star 7 – Hourly running to/from Gunwharf from approx 0730 to 1830 with additional short trips in the evening. Note No additional late trips north of QA for the 8pm shift change
- The Star 8 – Hourly between approx 0900 and 1900. Note No additional late trips north of QA for the 8pm shift change
Southern Vectis
Southern Vectis will run its fairly extensive timetable of Christmas Day special services. I have always been impressed with the number of buses that traverse the Island and it is good to see across the brand as well as with Bluestar and morebus on the mainland.
Southern Vectis will run its fairly extensive timetable of Christmas Day special services. I have always been impressed with the number of buses that traverse the Island and it is good to see across the brand as well as with Bluestar and morebus on the mainland.
- Service 1 runs hourly between Cowes and Newport from roughly 0900 to 2300
- Service 3 runs hourly between Newport, Ventnor, Shanklin and Ryde roughly between 0800 and 2300
- Note – Some normal stops are not served, and there may be a diversion in place
- Service 5 has 5 round trips between Newport, Osbourne and East Cowes
- Service 7 has 5 round trips between Newport, Shalfleet, Yarmouth and Totland
- Service 9 runs hourly between Ryde and Newport – alternating between the Medina and the Wootton routes.
Bluestar
Go South Coast will run their usual special service on the mainland, covering a small number of commercial routes:
- Bluestar 1X – This will run it’s usual route Southampton – Swaythling – Eastleigh – Chandlers Ford – Royal County Hospital – Winchester
The service will run every 2 hours - Bluestar 17X – This hourly service will run the normal 17 route between Weston – Southampton – Lords Hill – Adanac Park
- Bluestar 18X – This hourly service will run the usual Christmas Day extended service following Route 18 then onwards to the General Hospital and Aldermoor Turning Circle
morebus
- morebus m1 – Following the normal m1 service hourly
- morebus m2 – Following the normal m2 service and then extended to Christchurch and Two Riversmeet Centre, also running hourly
Stagecoach South
Stagecoach are running these services in the Portsmouth area:
- Service 18 between Paulsgrove, Cosham, North End and Southsea
- Service 21 between Gunwharf, Anchorage Park and Havant
- Service 23 between Southsea, Gunwharf, North End, Cosham, Havant and Leigh Park
The three services will run hourly during the daytime, full timetables are on the Stagecoach South website.
Walking through Southampton and saw a good loading on a 1x around lunchtime and a respectable ones on the 17x and 18x