Yes, the sound of “Jingle Bells” will be joined by the ‘press to stop’ bell as the traditionally decorated Santa Bus fleet have returned across the Stagecoach South Network raising money for charities including Stonepillow, Save the Children and the Winchester Hospice.

8 single decker buses have received a Christmas makeover and will be driven by Santa or the Elf. Each bus has been especially decorated by staff at each of the 8 depots within Stagecoach South and will be seen across the network where passengers, young and old, can enjoy festive music as they travel.   

Colin Ashcroft, interim Operations Director for Stagecoach South said: “We are delighted to run our Santa bus network again, which have become a family favourite every year, and we have received fantastic feedback from everyone who travelled on board.”

The Santa buses will be in operation across the network serving Andover, Basingstoke, Chichester, Blackwater Valley, Guildford, Winchester, Portsmouth and Worthing, up to, and including Christmas Eve.

This year Stagecoach South have introduced a new Christmas themed exterior livery for the 2022 season.

Gordon Frost, interim Managing Director for Stagecoach South said that the traditionally decorated Santa Buses, complete with festive music and gifts for children, have always proved popular with customers, particularly families at this very special time of year.

He said “Our Santa bus has become a great tradition for the local communities we proudly serve. We are delighted to be supporting local charities and I’m sure that our customers will be pleased knowing that they have helped raise such an amazing amount for a great cause".

"I am extremely grateful to all our local teams, especially our 'Santa' and 'Elves' who will play a huge part in the continued success by taking the Christmas themed buses out and about in all their twinkling glory, raising money for charity.