Happy Full National Football Programme While Eating the Rest Of Last Years Turkey day!
I know, the tradition of the rich boxing up presents to give to the poor, and giving their servants the day off to feast on Christmas leftovers is no longer really a thing (unless you are in Sandringham) – so I will wind up this meandering sentence by saying some buses are running.
Where a company is not mentioned in dispatches for the Boxing Day service, the depot gates are firmly shut and no services will operate – not even Rail Replacement Buses (because trains don’t run Boxing Day):
First Solent
Although the Southampton and Weymouth depots are not opening for business today, the blue buses of First Solent are touting for business across Gosport, Fareham and Portsmouth. They are running a slightly enhanced Boxing Day service this year, in part I presume because of the Bus Service Improvement Plan money that was received from Portsmouth City Council.
The full timetable PDF can be downloaded here – but with one exception these services will run every 30 minutes between approximately 8am and 6pm:
- Service 1: Gunwharf – City – Fratton – Southsea
- Service 2: Gunwharf – City – Eastney – Cosham – Paulsgrove
- Service 3: Fareham – Paulsgrove – Cosham – North End – City – Gunwharf – Southsea
- The Star 7: Gunwharf – City – North End – Cosham – Waterlooville – Wecock Farm
- The Star 8: Gunwharf – City – Stamshaw – Cosham – Waterlooville (Only)
Note: The Star 8 will not run north of Waterlooville on Boxing Day. - Eclipse E1 & E2: Gosport – Fort Brockhurst – Fareham
Note: Each route will run every 40 Minutes – with 3 buses an hour on the Bus Road
Go South Coast
Bluestar
A full Sunday service will operate, except on Bluestar 6 which will not run.
morebus
Unlike it’s other GSC brands, morebus will run a mixture of Sunday and special services. It should be noted that the Sandbanks Ferry is still out of action due to damage incurred during it’s annual service:
- Sunday service on “Yellow” routes 1a, 1 & 1b, 2, 4, 5 & 5a and 6
- Sunday service on Poole routes 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 13 14, 16, 17, 40, 50, X3 and X8
- Special service on m1, m2
Southern Vectis
A full Sunday service will operate
Stagecoach South
Only the following services will run on Stagecoach South routes today:
- Not technically Stagecoach, but these Salisbury Reds trips on Activ8 will run on a special timetable.
- The Barfoots Works Service 25 will run from Portsmouth
- Special Timetable on Portsmouth services 21 and 23 – every half hour from approx 0730 to 2000