First across the Solent have started to update their timetables to reflect schools services in Hampshire and Dorset. They have chosen to take a more hybrid approach than some of the other bus operators in that they have some closed door services, but also duplicate many others.
We already reported that in First Solent start their schools increases tomorrow. Services out of the Fareham and Hilsea depots have their own dedicated page, although Southampton appear to be doing nothing at all. The core message from First Solent is that where there is a duplicate or extra service on a normal route it is open-doors, but the South Downs services (starting SD-) are closed doors.
Weymouth – from 6th September
The story in Weymouth is a little more mixed though. Some service buses become Closed Door, but are also duplicated by a standard service bus.
- First a non-Schools update – The X54 SUNDAY service is now cancelled (I seem to remember this is a seasonal service anyway?) but the 4 round trips on Monday to Saturday continue.
- All Wessex 1 journeys to and from Portland now serve the National Sailing Academy. Currently it is only served from approximately 0900 to 1900.
- The Wessex and Buses of Somerset joint operation resumes on the 6. There are three trips a day from Yeovil and a service that is not quite hourly (every 70 to 80 minutes) between Bridport and Beaminster.
- First Wessex schools services that were previously open to the public are now closed door. This includes those going to Woodroffe, Beaminster and Colfox schools. You can find more details of these on the First Wessex Schools page
- Wessex 1 between Weymouth and Portland have additional trips for Weymouth College and what appears to be Wyke Regis Junior School(?)
- Wessex 6A is running an additional closed-door duplicate trip on the 0733 from Salwayash (0749 from Bridport centre) to Beaminster School. This is in addition to the B1 / B2 / B4 (which become SB-)
- Wessex 10 will run two 10A buses for Thomas Hardye School which are open to the public
- The 0739 Weymouth to Dorchester and Poundbury & 1539 return are cancelled as a result
- Additional X51 and X53 buses run for Woodroffe School (in addition to the SA3)
- An additional X54 will run between Winfrith, Wool and Purbeck School on the X54.
There is probably more!
I am probably missing some more subtle updates too. I don’t get to Weymouth quite as much as I should, so be my eyes on the ground by commenting below or getting in touch.