All-night bus provision in Southampton will be significantly improved by Go-Ahead Group subsidiary Bluestar from 31 August.
As of that date the operator will run 24/7 timetables on route 2, 17 and 18 in the city. That provision will sit alongside existing all-night journeys on Bluestar 1 and Unlink U1N routes at weekends.
Expansion of the overnight services is being made possible by Bluestar’s partnership with Southampton City Council and Hampshire County Council as part of Bus Service Improvement Plan work.
Bluestar General Manager Richard Tyldsley describes the partnership with those two local authorities as “excellent” and notes how the all-night journeys will follow various other enhancements to bus services in the city over recent months.
Those have included introduction of the Albion Place bus hub, Ring Road bus priority improvements, and the Southampton to Waterside corridor that priorities buses and cycles to reduce journey times.
“We know there is high demand for these extra services here, and are excited to be driving forward our bid to make buses an even more attractive proposition for those who may otherwise travel by car,” continues Mr Tyldsley.
“Persuading local people to switch from car to bus is particularly vital in Southampton because it contributes to reduced congestion and improved air quality across the city. We are excited to be introducing these night buses, which will provide important transport links for those working or socialising late.”
Bluestar has been the dominant operator in Southampton since 2023, when First Bus closed its depot in the city. At the time, the Go-Ahead subsidiary heralded that change as a “new era” for buses in Southampton and Mr Tyldesley pledged service improvements. Other uplifts are being introduced at the same time as the all-night timetables.
Southampton City Council Cabinet Member for Transport Cllr Christie Lambert notes how the partnership that also involved Hampshire County Council is “extraordinary.”
She adds: “This is an exciting point for Southampton as we get 24/7 buses in the city and more buses operating earlier and later to help get people to where they want to go, when they want to go.
“Using the Bus Grant Funding, we are able to deliver on the vision of our Bus Service Improvement Plan to make buses in Southampton an attractive, accessible, affordable and convenient option for local people to get around.”
