With the summer coming up, I was surprised to see something that we have previously talked about on this blog becoming a reality. There are also changes in Bournemouth for the Hospital Express and more.
(Shame)
Open Top in Southsea
When was it that we first talked about open top buses in Southsea? Well according to a quick search of the archive it was this post from February 2021 when I was on a nostalgia trip harking back to the early 1990s when People’s Provincial (what is now First Solent) were competing with Harry Blundred’s Red & Blue Admiral (what is now… also First Solent) along the seafront.
Last year, Aldermaston Coaches tried to run an abridged seafront service from Clarence Pier to Eastney, Henderson Road (or was it South Parade) with a red ALX400 and a Scania.
First Solent though have imported an open topper, believed to be either from Weymouth or Buses of Somerset, to the Hoeford Depot at Fareham for a new service along the seafront.
With a credit to traditionalists, service 50 is going to begin at the start of the school summer holidays on Sunday 24th July and run from Gunwharf Quays (within what I love is still being called “The Hard Interchange”) to Portsmouth Cathedral, Clarence Pier and South Parade Pier.
This is going to be a 1 bus service, running hourly from 0900 to 1600 from Gunwharf. If the rumours are believed, then it will be run by a Hoeford driver, with a Hilsea driver providing a lunchtime relief. The hourly frequency provides ample standage time at both ends as well as Clarence Pier in case it gets busy as well.
Updated: 09 July. Images from a private Facebook group now show LX60 DXB an open top bus previously with Buses of Somerset (and originally with GoAhead London) at Hoeford Depot in Fareham. It is a Volvo B9TL which was originally dual door, but since converted.
Extra Trips on the Southsea Skipper
Alongside the introduction of the open-top 50 (please First Solent – give it a name…. Sunrider 50 maybe?) they are also bringing back the summer extension to the Southsea Skipper 25.
Also covering Gunwharf Quays to Clarence Pier (albeit via Old Portsmouth Point as well) there are late buses back connecting from the last Hayling Ferry (departs Hayling at 1945). Timetable can be viewed here.
It’s a shame that the 50 does not extend to Hayling Ferry as well. There are some nice views for tourists and could have brought additional custom to the ferry. One can dream though.
(Also, I don’t think a double deck would fit along parts of the 25…. an open top Optare Solo perhaps?)
… and a direct line to the Park and Ride
First Solent are also introducing (or is it reintroducing…. did they run it last year?) their Park and Ride service from Tipner to Southsea.
This year numbered service PR3 (PR2 is now used for a service to the University of Portsmouth) the summer service will run from the Tipner Park & Ride site to Portsmouth City Centre, Portsmouth Cathedral and then a loop of Clarence Pier and the D-Day Museum.
The two buses will run on a half hourly frequency with the first bus leaving Tipner at 0905 and the last bus from Clarence Pier at 1825 and D-Day Museum at 1835.
Note: a timetable change to service 2 in Portsmouth has also been registered, but no further information….
Yellow Buses to Bournemouth Hospital
Now I am not sure that I have talked about it on here, I have certainly talked about it somewhere; but back in May the Bournemouth Echo had an article about “rapid bus links” between Poole Hospital and the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.
Well I would love to say that this is a prelude to this, but I am sorry to disappoint you that Yellow Buses are extending their 3X to Poole Hospital from Sunday 24th July, but it appears to only be around shift change times. Like the more recent change for the 3X moving from limited stop to a normal stopping bus service; the extension from Westbourne to Branksome, Parkstone and Poole Hospital is similarly a non-X service.
… and one for the enthusiasts
Xelabus have registered a service for the August Bank Holiday weekend between Gunwharf Quays and Clarence Pier. Running the service for the Victorious Festival, it will be your chance to possibly get some “rare” and “beast” moments on the seafront as this usually is a busy event. If memory serves me correctly Xelabus used to hire in vehicles from other operators (and possibly drivers too) to assist with the service.
With the recent acquisition of Seaview Services on the Isle of Wight though, then maybe we will see some visitors from across the water this time around.
I have no further details on the service X27 a the moment though.