Following months of public and open consultation, we are making some changes to our buses, to come into effect from 21 February.
The main reason behind these changes is to improve reliability, expand certain successful services whilst also making changes to reflect current demand.
The big news is that all buses used on Bluestar routes will be 100% easy access every time, including smart Mercedes Citaro buses introduced on Bluestar 4 and 12.
We appreciate all the suggestions made and thank you for helping us as part of this important process.
Bluestar 1
There will be no changes. We will continue to run two buses together on Mondays to Fridays at 0737 from Chandlers Ford to Winchester and at 1710 from Winchester to Southampton when demand is high, to assure everyone of as comfortable a journey as possible.
Nightstar 1
We will introduce extra stops thanks to feedback from our customers – on request along Badger Farm Road and Romsey Road in Winchester for Badger Farm and Stanmore.
Bluestar 2
There will be some timing changes to improve reliability.
Bluestar 3
We will 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 could not find an alternative solution - in the face of low usage - other than to run hourly during "off-peak" times between 0900 and 1600 on Mondays to Fridays, and all day on Saturdays.
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.
There will be some timing changes to improve reliability.
Bluestar 8
With the exception of early morning journeys arriving in Southampton before 0830, 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 from those arriving in the city in morning rush hour, whilst allowing a better spread of buses between the Southampton and Totton in the daytime, 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.
Bluestar 10 11
We do hope to use bigger buses on busy rush hour journeys when demand is high.
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 between Southampton, Totton and Calmore, running every hour after midnight until around 3am on Friday and Saturday nights.
Bluestar 14
New route to replace First route 14. This will run every hour between Southampton, Portswood, Highfield, Swaythling, Mansbridge and Bitterne during Monday to Saturday daytimes.
view new timetable and route map
Bluestar 14 starts Monday 8th February 2010.
Bluestar 15
Southampton City Council have terminated this contract and this bus will no longer run. They have arranged with First to provide a replacement on their revised routes 9/9A/9B/10/10A/10B.
Bluestar 15 ends Saturday 6th February 2010.
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 F
Some times will change. We will no longer be able to serve Marwell Wildlife due to very low passenger numbers.
Baby Bluestar E, H, T
No changes
Nightstar 6, 16, 19
There may be some timing changes.
College & School Buses
No changes
Revised timetables will be available shortly.