Stagecoach and Portsmouth City Council launch bus service improvements in the city

Stagecoach has announced that from the 3rd of January, services 21 and 23, around Havant and Portsmouth will see more journeys added, to enhance the timetable frequency on weekday mornings as well as introducing later journeys on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Councillor Lynne Stagg (L) & Stagecoach South Managing Director, Gordon Frost (R) launch the improvements with bus driver Jason Piggott, Operations Manager for Portsmouth Colin Ashcroft and Apprentice Engineer George Needham from Stagecoach Portsmouth.

On weekdays, first trips will start as early as 0415 in the morning and run every weekday. The last buses on Friday and Saturday nights will be just after 0100 from the Hard in Portsmouth. Small changes have also been made to other journeys on the 21 and 23 to help the buses run on time. 

These new journeys have been financially supported by Portsmouth City Council as part of the cities Bus Service Improvement Plan. 

The team were on hand at The Hard Interchange on Thursday promoting the new journeys as well as their participation in the Department for Transports £2 single journey fare initiative, as part of the Government’s Help for Households campaign. The scheme means all adult, concession and child single tickets on eligible routes will be capped at £2, with any single tickets previously cheaper than this remaining the same price.

Colin Ashcroft, Portsmouth Operations Manager for Stagecoach said, “We are pleased to be able to work with Portsmouth City Council on increasing the timetable frequency on services 21 and 23.” 

“We are confident the extra journeys and the new £2 flat single fare will make choosing the bus for travel around the city an easy one and hope that residents will take full advantage of the increased service provision and reduced fares.”

"These latest changes provide an opportunity to help reduce car usage, making Portsmouth a cleaner and greener place to live.”

Councillor Lynne Stagg said “I am delighted to say that Portsmouth City Council has worked with Stagecoach to offer extended hours on key bus routes in direct response to residents’ feedback. These services will be a lifeline to those people working, particularly shifts or unsociable hours, and socialising across the city. These changes are part of a much bigger picture for Portsmouth, offering people the chance to choose public transport, and help reduce the reliance on cars.”

To find out more,including new timetables, click here.