Bus Passenger Growth Soars Following Major Improvements

Stagecoach is thrilled to announce the remarkable success of Service 18, a vital bus route in Portsmouth running from Paulsgrove to Southsea, which has experienced a staggering increase in passenger numbers—over 40% since September 2023. Following the takeover of the route under a contract with Portsmouth City Council, Stagecoach has collaborated closely with the council to implement significant enhancements that have led to this substantial growth in ridership and improved service reliability. 

In February 2024, Stagecoach upgraded weekend services, transitioning from an hourly schedule to a bus every 30 minutes. This strategic adjustment has produced impressive results, with a 70% increase in Saturday passengers and over 90% on Sundays compared to previous years. These enhancements were made possible thanks to additional funding from Portsmouth City Council as part of their Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).

Recognising the demand for extended service hours, Stagecoach also introduced evening buses in February, with the last service now departing after 11:00 PM. This change has been met with enthusiastic response, with more than 2,500 passengers utilising the evening service each month. 

Marc Reddy, Managing Director for Stagecoach South, expressed pride in the advancements made on Service 18, stating, “Since taking over Service 18, we are incredibly proud of the significant improvements made to the bus route. This achievement reflects the strength of our partnership with Portsmouth City Council and the dedication of our team.”

Portsmouth City Council has echoed this sentiment, with a spokesperson highlighting the effective collaboration: “Stagecoach has worked closely with us to help implement our Portsmouth Bus Service Improvement Plan, which is designed to improve bus services in the city and get more passengers using the bus. We are delighted to see the increase in passenger usage on the number 18 bus route and are dedicated to improving our network together.”

Passengers have also shared their satisfaction with the enhanced reliability and frequency of Service 18. One customer remarked, “It’s much better. I used to get fed up waiting in the cold, and the bus never arrived.” 

Grant Baker, a long-standing bus driver for Stagecoach, has also noted the changes: “Since the improvements to Service 18, I’ve noticed a significant increase in its reliability. Passengers have shared positive feedback, often commenting on how friendly and helpful all the drivers have been.” 

As passenger numbers continue to rise, Stagecoach remains dedicated to delivering reliable, customer-focused bus services. Further improvements are in the pipeline to ensure an even better experience for Portsmouth residents.