I am currently sat at the computer, having had a few Northern Monk beers from Lidl, wishing you a very Merry Christmas, a Hanukkah Sameach or however you celebrate this time. I have the gammon and turkey, I have the roast potatoes and I hope you get everything but the coal.
These are the service summaries for Christmas Day – Thursday 25th December.
There is NO SERVICE except those listed below:
Bournemouth & Poole
Bournmeouth & Poole will run their usual special service, covering a small number of commercial routes:
- Services m1 & m2 with the usual m2 extension to Two Rivers Meet leisure centre
- NEW for 2025 Service 5 between Bournemouth and Ensbury Park (only)
In all services the fares will be £3 single or £6 return for both adults and children. The publicity does not say whether Concessionary Passes or period tickets are valid.
Isle of Wight
Southern Vectis will be running it’s usual small network of bus services for the Island’s residents on five routes:
- 1 Newport to Cowes via Round House (towards Cowes) and the Park & Ride (towards Newport)
- Hourly service from approx 0900 to 2300
- 3 Newport – Ventnor – Sandown – Ryde
- Hourly service from approx 0800 to midnight
- 5 Newport to East Cowes
- 5 round trips between 1000 and 2000
- 7 Newport to Yarmouth and Totland (via Shalfleet)
- 5 round trips between 1000 and 2200
- 9 Newport to Ryde via Medina or Staplers
- Hourly between 0800 and midnight (alternating via Medina or Staplers)
The usual excellent Southern Vectis Christmas Day leaflet is available to download online.
Portsmouth & Havant
Portsmouth City Council are – as I understand it – financially supporting the Christmas Day bus services this year, as in the last few years. The following services are running an hourly timetable.
An hourly service will run across the following routes:
- Service 1 Gunwharf – Southsea
- Service 2 Paulsgrove – Gunwharf
- Service 3 Fareham – Southsea
- Service 7 Gunwharf – Wecock Farm
- Service 8 Gunwharf – Clanfield
- 18 Paulsgrove – QA Hospital – Fratton – Clarence Pier
- 20 Havant – Crookhorn – QA Hospital – Commercial Road – Gunwharf
- 21 Gunwharf – Anchorage Park
- 22 Havant – Warren Park
- 23 Havant – Cosham – Gunwharf – South Parade Pier
Stagecoach in Portsmouth have also uploaded a helpful timetable guide for their services.
Southampton
Bluestar will run their usual special service on the mainland, covering a small number of commercial routes:
- Bluestar 1X – This will run it’s usual Southampton – Swaythling – Eastleigh – Chandlers Ford – Winchester service (except via St Cross this year, rather than Royal County Hospital)
The service will run every 2 hours - Bluestar 17 – This hourly service will run the normal 17 route between Weston – Southampton – Lords Hill – Adanac Park
- Bluestar 18 – This hourly service will run the usual Christmas Day extended service following Route 18 then onwards to the General Hospital and Aldermoor Turning Circle
In all services the fares will be £3 single or £6 return for both adults and children. Concessionary Passes and period tickets will be valid. Not that it makes much difference, but the 17 and 18 have dropped their X designations this year.
Whether You Get a Bus or Not
Have a Happy Christmas, a Hanukkah Sameach or enjoyable day whatever you believe or not.
