While most operators are making many of their service changes ready for 1st September, First Solent have a raft of changes allocated for the following week. There are new services, as well as route changes to be aware of, and we will also cover some additional services for some small local event next weekend.
I can not see the First Solent changes listed on their website yet, nor is there a tab visible for the First Group PDF timetables yet. I will link to the ones that my own service updates system has produced, however as always please double check that they are right before you rely on them…. I am still having some teething issues! [I will mention that in a little bit]
Victorious Extras
In line with the little festival on the Common over the bank holiday, First Solent will run some additional services at the close of the festival site each night. These will run from The Palmerston Road shops, outside what was Debenhams (how long can we keep calling it that) and along the following routes:
| Friday 28th August | Saturday 29th August | Sunday 30th August | |
| Service 2 to Paulsgrove | 23:19 & 23:29 | 23:23 & 23:33 | 23:21 & 23:31 |
| Service 3 to Fareham | 23:23 & 23:44 | 23:21 & 23:31 | 23:11 & 23:31 |
| Service X3 to Fareham | 23:13 & 23:33 | 23:18 & 23:28 | 23:10 & 23:30 |
Looking at the timetables listed, all three services will run their normal routes. If you are travelling on the extra service 3 trips though I would double check as both the 2 and X3 are shown on the First Solent announcement as “via the normal route” whereas the 3 says “via North End and Hilsea”. Like I said, it might just be an overdrive of pedanticism from the keyboard!
September Service Changes
Portsmouth University Services
Firstly a closed-door service for the University of Portsmouth is getting changes for the start of the new school year. I know I do not usually comment on schools and college services but with the substantial influx of young people new to Portsmouth I will make an exception here.
From Sunday 13th September the service will run as two routes:
- Service U1 – In a loop from University House, via Kings Theatre, Eastney and Fratton Bridge, back to the University (weekdays)
- Service U2 – From University of Portsmouth to Fratton Bridge and Langstone Campus (weekends)
Service Changes from 30th August
There are a number of roadworks related changes and the return to school:
- Service 3 will once again be serving White Hart Lane in Portchester which is due to the temporary closure of Castle Street.
- Service X4 will once again be serving Abshot Road in Warsash.
- The Star 7 schoolday trips via South Downs College in Crookhorn will restart.
Service Changes from 6th September
Services 3, X3, X4 and X5 will be affected by roadworks in West Street. Services will not be serving the bus stop in East Street (towards Portchester) and will use the A27 to get to Delme Roundabout. The roadworks are advertised as far as I can tell from 1st September to 13th October, so services may be altered before that.
Services 28 and 28a appear to have gained stops along Yew Tree Drive in Whiteley as well. Now… this is possibly roadworks either starting or ceasing because I thought they already went past there….
So in reality….
Not a lot going on. I thought there was more to things and starting bashing away at the keyboard. Then as I read and re-read the analysis realised that it is all roadworks. If you have found us from looking for the University of Portsmouth bus service information, welcome to Portsmouth! I spent many years in the area and spent much of it stumbling up and down Guildhall Walk!
For our local enthusiasts next weekend, maybe some unusual allocations on the late night Victorious extras!