In February 2010, we would like to make some changes to our buses. The main reason behind these changes is to improve reliability and unfortunately to address a major issue with a loss-making service which is under-used by passengers.

From this date we will also be acquiring even more modern buses, so which allow us to provide a 100% easy access service on all routes.

Many people will see no change, but instead of just telling you what we're doing, we want to involve you and let us know what you think before we commit to the changes.

This gives you an opportunity to make further suggestions and to tell us what you think about our proposals.

Bluestar 1
Since the last timetable change in June 2009, things seem to have settled down quite well, with the timetable being able to withstand the often unpredictable traffic flows around rush hour. We have also introduced an extra bus following the 0737 departure from Chandlers Ford to Winchester during Monday to Friday school days, to ensure everyone can ride in comfort!

We are therefore not proposing any changes to Bluestar 1.

Nightstar 1
There may be some timing changes. We will also introduce extra stops - on request along Badger Farm Road and Romsey Road in Winchester for Badger Farm and Stanmore.

Bluestar 2
We have had a tricky time on Bluestar 2 recently, with all the ongoing road closures and maintenance works around Bishopstoke, Stoneham Lane and Lodge Road. We have run extra buses to try and ensure people get about as easily as possible, but it is very difficult with roads being closed and heavy traffic on certain diversionary routes. We are therefore waiting until all roads are open along the route and then carrying out a detailed timing exercise to measure reliability, which may lead to timetable improvements. If you can let us know any journeys with particular problems, please let us know, so we can consider this in any timetable changes.

Nightstar 2
There may be some timing changes.

Bluestar 3
Whilst a number of the reliability problems have now been addressed, particularly during rush hours, we still struggle to cover our costs outside of rush hours when buses are not well-used. We intend to therefore offer a half-hourly service during the rush hours, with departure times not expected to be changed on the busiest journeys, allowing people to catch the same buses they get now.

Unfortunately, we are unable to cover our costs on the half-hourly Monday-Saturday timetable at off-peak times, and we would propose that the service reduce to hourly between 0900 and 1600 Monday to Friday and all day on Saturday. There is just not enough passengers to justify the current service level. This is obviously a very difficult decision, but we can't run a route on which the fare revenue can't cover its costs. We are talking with our partners at Southampton City Council and Hampshire County Council to see if there's anything they can do to help.

Bluestar 4
Major improvements as modern, easy access Mercedes buses will be introduced on all journeys to provide a better standard of comfort for everyone.

We have identified that departures from the terminus points at Southampton and Romsey are reliable, but there are some issues as buses progress along the route. We therefore propose some changes to times at certain timing points along the route to improve timekeeping.

Bluestar 8
The whole Monday to Saturday daytime timetable at all departure points will run 5 minutes later than now. This is in response to customer feedback in allowing a better spread of buses between Southampton and Totton, as currently Bluestar 8 and 12 can often run together.

Buses during evening rush hour will depart Southampton 10 minutes later than now to improve reliability and allow buses to depart punctually.

Bluestar 9
Sunday daytime frequency increased to every 30 minutes along most of the route, splitting to serve Langley every hour and Fawley every hour.

No change to Monday to Saturday timetable.

Nightstar 9
There may be some timing changes.

Bluestar 10/11
No changes proposed. We do hope to use bigger buses on busy rush hour journeys.

Bluestar 12
Major improvements as modern, easy access Mercedes buses will be introduced on all journeys to provide a better standard of comfort for everyone.

Nightstar 12
New hourly Nightstar buses, running every hour Fri-Sat nights after midnight until around 3am

Bluestar 15
The current contract for this service expires in February and we await decision from Southampton City Council as to whether it will continue being run by Bluestar.

Bluestar 18
No changes proposed.

Nightstar 18
Buses will only run as far as Thornhill, Eastpoint Centre and will no longer serve Hedge End. Please see N6 for Nightstar buses to Hedge End.

Baby Bluestar E, H, T
No changes proposed

Baby Bluestar F
We are discussing some improvements for the majority of customers on this service with Hampshire County Council. We will keep you posted once we have some firm proposals.

Nightstar 6, 16, 19
There may be some timing changes.

Is there anything else we could change to make our buses better? Do we need to change some times of a journey that is always late, or one that we could speed up? Can we make any minor changes to route that would be popular? This is your chance to make your views heard - email managersmailbox@bluestarbus.co.uk