Go South Coast

[Mark L]

The Bournemouth Square changes are due to the remodelling of Gervis Place which means it will be closed from 23 May till next February(!) hence all the shuffling of stops.

I'm not seeing any change to the 1B though when I compare timetables manually on bustimes.org

This - https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/news-...eliability-and-accessibility-for-passengers-1 - suggests that the works won’t take that long.

 

[James H]

That page is about the earlier phase of works in Westover Road

https://one.network/?tmi=GB44063480 gives details of the extended closure of Gervis Place

 

[Mark L]

That page is about the earlier phase of works in Westover Road

https://one.network/?tmi=GB44063480 gives details of the extended closure of Gervis Place

Thanks - that’ll make for a fun summer! There is something on the morebus website now - see https://www.morebus.co.uk/bus-stop-...sfETMM2uBzDnG_2gMQ_aem_t8GRIKD0lmIUElBtewD_GA

 

[TrainspotterSW]

Summer Timetable for morebus from 23rd May

Summer timetable changes from Saturday 23 May

Summer is almost here, read on to find out about our changes...

www.morebus.co.uk

 

[Open top 80]

Summer Timetable for morebus from 23rd May

Summer timetable changes from Saturday 23 May

Summer is almost here, read on to find out about our changes...

www.morebus.co.uk

Only one improvement for me at least I don't have to change buses to get to castle point shopping centre any more just one bus now (number 33)

 

[nw1]

Summer Morebus changes are now in bustimes.org if you manipulate the dates

Things I've found so far:

- 11 and 21 reduced to hourly each (did wonder how these would fare after the initial BSIP and developer funding ran out)
(edited to add: 21 is extended from Turbary Retail Park to Canford Paddock, maintaining the 4bph link with Bournemouth from Bearwood when the 11, 21 and 6 are combined)

- 25 and 26 reduced from every 20 minutes to half-hourly

- X1 and X2 become New Forest Breezer 81 and 82 - changes include improved Sunday service

- Bluestar 6 becomes New Forest Breezer 86

- As expected, the 20 has picked up the eastern half of the 33 and becomes a through Poole to Christchurch bus, leaving the 33 running between Alum Chine and Castlepoint

Interesting so the 6 is no longer counted as a Bluestar service at all? I have noticed that a lot of the vehicles appear to be More-operated, and given it's based out of Lymington, perhaps it's better integrated into More's numbering system.

I wonder if Bluestar will re-use the number 6 for another service in that case, though I am not sure which.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Interesting so the 6 is no longer counted as a Bluestar service at all? I have noticed that a lot of the vehicles appear to be More-operated, and given it's based out of Lymington, perhaps it's better integrated into More's numbering system.

I wonder if Bluestar will re-use the number 6 for another service in that case, though I am not sure which.

I guess the More/Bluestar split in one depot was a bit of a faff. Having one consistent brand might make vehicle allocation easier

 

[adc82140]

Courtesy of my bus loving son, (11 years old) is this the first electric X3? It's the Downton Cuckoo Fair today, so Morebus are putting on a few reliefs, including this Salisbury Reds vehicle. Photographed in Fordingbridge.

 

[PTR 444]

Interesting so the 6 is no longer counted as a Bluestar service at all? I have noticed that a lot of the vehicles appear to be More-operated, and given it's based out of Lymington, perhaps it's better integrated into More's numbering system.

I wonder if Bluestar will re-use the number 6 for another service in that case, though I am not sure which.

I could see Bluestar introducing a route in the future to complement/compete with First X4/X5 to Fareham, owing to the drastic cutbacks these routes have seen in recent years. That could be allocated the number 6, although I think 27 would be a better fit considering it would run along the A27 corridor.

Perhaps 6 would be better suited to a new route outside Southampton, such as a direct link between Eastleigh and Valley Park alongside Route 5.

 

[nw1]

I could see Bluestar introducing a route in the future to complement/compete with First X4/X5 to Fareham, owing to the drastic cutbacks these routes have seen in recent years. That could be allocated the number 6, although I think 27 would be a better fit considering it would run along the A27 corridor.

Perhaps 6 would be better suited to a new route outside Southampton, such as a direct link between Eastleigh and Valley Park alongside Route 5.

Given 6 is a single-figure route number I can see they'd want to use it for a "primary" route, so something like a hypothetical new Fareham route would make sense.
Perhaps Valley Park could then become the 25, which would fit in with both the 5 and the 23 in the same area.

Both would be excellent additions to the Bluestar network.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 May 2026 ==

I guess the More/Bluestar split in one depot was a bit of a faff. Having one consistent brand might make vehicle allocation easier

True, I guess the 6 has traditionally needed certain vehicles (the Bluestar-branded ones) whereas now it can use any New Forest Breezer branded vehicles which gives more flexibility.

 

[PTR 444]

Purely speculation on my part, but I wonder if the renumbering of routes X1, X2 and 6 into an 8x series for the New Forest Breezer network might suggest some future route re-numberings down the line. Integrating the X3 and X7/X7R into the "breezer" family would make sense considering they run through sections of the New Forest.

There are also the lesser-known routes which run through the National Park such as the 39 (Romsey - Nomansland), 112 (Lymington - Hythe), 119 (Lymington - New Milton) and 125 (Christchurch - Ringwood).

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Purely speculation on my part, but I wonder if the renumbering of routes X1, X2 and 6 into an 8x series for the New Forest Breezer network might suggest some future route re-numberings down the line. Integrating the X3 and X7/X7R into the "breezer" family would make sense considering they run through sections of the New Forest. There are also the lesser-known routes which run through the National Park such as the 39 (Romsey - Nomansland), 112 (Lymington - Hythe), 119 (Lymington - New Milton) and 125 (Christchurch - Ringwood).

I can see the other Lymington services being under the NFB umbrella but not the X7 and definitely not the X3.

Random sub fleets in Ringwood and Salisbury wouldn’t make sense operationally.

 

[TrainspotterSW]

Does anyone know why the 25/26 will move to Stand AA at Poole Bus Station, moving the m1 to A/B and the m2 to C/D?

 

[341o2]

Purely speculation on my part, but I wonder if the renumbering of routes X1, X2 and 6 into an 8x series for the New Forest Breezer network might suggest some future route re-numberings down the line. Integrating the X3 and X7/X7R into the "breezer" family would make sense considering they run through sections of the New Forest.

There are also the lesser-known routes which run through the National Park such as the 39 (Romsey - Nomansland), 112 (Lymington - Hythe), 119 (Lymington - New Milton) and 125 (Christchurch - Ringwood).

In wouldn't say the 119 is a New Forest route, all those in the 1xx series are former Wilts & Dorset routes.
Pity Bluestar 6 has not reverted to the former Wilts & Dorset 56
There is also the 120 which does run within the National Park. Both it and Bluestar 6 cross the cattle grids, and may be seen alongside the ponies and other free roaming livestock.

 

[Cymroglan]

Despite the X1 & X2 being the bus routes I use most often, I haven’t been on a bus for a while. I did have an early morning 5K run which took in the Barton on Sea cliff tops earlier today and noticed that the X1 bus stop signs have been replaced with smart New Forest Breezer 81 signs. I was impressed, but the again, I’m easily pleased!

 

[341o2]

I lik the improved Sunday service, with the 82 running, providing an hourly service with the 81 apart from a hr interval between 11am and 1pm departing Lymington timetable here

 

[_agr2008]

Purely speculation on my part, but I wonder if the renumbering of routes X1, X2 and 6 into an 8x series for the New Forest Breezer network might suggest some future route re-numberings down the line. Integrating the X3 and X7/X7R into the "breezer" family would make sense considering they run through sections of the New Forest.

There are also the lesser-known routes which run through the National Park such as the 39 (Romsey - Nomansland), 112 (Lymington - Hythe), 119 (Lymington - New Milton) and 125 (Christchurch - Ringwood).

in my opinion some of the 1xx routes really need frequency improvements, most of them are incredibly scenic and worth the ride however they run at very awkward times and they seem to act more as routes that they are required to run rather than actual reliable commuter services for the area

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

in my opinion some of the 1xx routes really need frequency improvements, most of them are incredibly scenic and worth the ride however they run at very awkward times and they seem to act more as routes that they are required to run rather than actual reliable commuter services for the area

Most are clearly aimed at off peak (largely ENCTS) passengers as they operate around schools contracts and/or have a defined schools requirement (like the 112) and the other journeys are just in-fills. Given how affluent those areas are, and how stretched Hampshire County Council are, it would be difficult for them to fund anything better.

Shame as the 112 is one of those services (which I'm sure @RELL6L has enjoyed) which I've never got round to doing Same with the 125

 

[PTR 444]

in my opinion some of the 1xx routes really need frequency improvements, most of them are incredibly scenic and worth the ride however they run at very awkward times and they seem to act more as routes that they are required to run rather than actual reliable commuter services for the area

I definitely agree the 1xx routes would be more popular if they had an improved frequency and were heavily marketed as tourist services. Like you say, most of these pass through some very scenic areas of the forest, and would fit quite well into an expanded New Forest Breezer network.

Do we know yet if the open top New Forest Tour routes will be subsumed into the Breezer brand, or even operating at all for the 2026 season?

 

[James H]

Yes the 2026 dates for the tour service are now on the website

 

[robbob700]

I definitely agree the 1xx routes would be more popular if they had an improved frequency and were heavily marketed as tourist services

The 112 did have a frequency boost and was marketed as the "Beach Bus" (diverting via Lepe Beach) for 5 summers between 2013 and 2017 with discounts at local attractions. It was withdrawn due to falling use and an end to government funding, according to the National Park Authority.

 

[RELL6L]

Most are clearly aimed at off peak (largely ENCTS) passengers as they operate around schools contracts and/or have a defined schools requirement (like the 112) and the other journeys are just in-fills. Given how affluent those areas are, and how stretched Hampshire County Council are, it would be difficult for them to fund anything better.

Shame as the 112 is one of those services (which I'm sure @RELL6L has enjoyed) which I've never got round to doing Same with the 125

Yes! I have travelled on both the 112 (many years ago) and the 125 (more recently). Both with double deckers- as you say between school runs - both very scenic. The 112 might have been a Spectra, once common in these parts.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The 112 did have a frequency boost and was marketed as the "Beach Bus" (diverting via Lepe Beach) for 5 summers between 2013 and 2017 with discounts at local attractions. It was withdrawn due to falling use and an end to government funding, according to the National Park Authority.

Indeed - it was reported on the BBC website https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-44288062

Yes! I have travelled on both the 112 (many years ago) and the 125 (more recently). Both with double deckers- as you say between school runs - both very scenic. The 112 might have been a Spectra, once common in these parts.

I knew you would've Of course, I've missed the boat (bedum tish) in using the Ferry to Hythe but perhaps a trip on the X7 from Salisbury to Totton, then to Hythe and a 112 is long overdue. I've cycled through the New Forest on a couple of occasions - it really is quite lovely.

 

[341o2]

Yes the 2026 dates for the tour service are now on the website

Is that so? While the page says "Timetables for this year are availiable to view here", the link takes me to the 2025 timetable

 

[James H]

At the top of the page it gives 2026 dates but the timetable isn’t out yet

 

[341o2]

Do we know yet if the open top New Forest Tour routes will be subsumed into the Breezer brand, or even operating at all for the 2026 season?

I don't think so, because

1. The New Forest Tour is open top, the New Forest Breezer buses do not have this facility
2. They are two different brands. The Breezers promote travelling to the New Forest, rather than journeys within it
3. The Breezers are stage carriage sevices, you may purchase individual tickets eg for a single journey, and concessionary passes are valid.
The New Forest Tour only offers a single price all day ticket, the only variation is to purchase a ticket for more than one day
Concessionary passes are not valid on the New Forest Tour

 

[Mainline421]

The Breezers are stage carriage sevices, you may purchase individual tickets eg for a single journey, and concessionary passes are valid.
The New Forest Tour only offers a single price all day ticket, the only variation is to purchase a ticket for more than one day
Concessionary passes are not valid on the New Forest Tour

I never purchased one, but I've heard they do sell point to point singles (at least in the past), even if it wasn't advertised

 

[Gloster]

I got a brief glimpse of an unfamiliar bus in Newport bus station today. Painted in a black, white, dark green and leaf green livery, it appeared to have a door, possibly emergency only, half-way down the off-side. Most peculiarly, it appeared to have glazing on the outside of the body alongside the stairs: if I didn’t mis-see that, it clearly wasn’t designed by anybody who wears a miniskirt.

 

[Lynford1976]

I got a brief glimpse of an unfamiliar bus in Newport bus station today. Painted in a black, white, dark green and leaf green livery, it appeared to have a door, possibly emergency only, half-way down the off-side. Most peculiarly, it appeared to have glazing on the outside of the body alongside the stairs: if I didn’t mis-see that, it clearly wasn’t designed by anybody who wears a miniskirt.

Probably the BYD double-deck demonstrator, registered LF75 OTG. It's been in use on various parts of the Go South Coast patch and is on the island to help out with the forthcoming Isle of Wight Festival.

 

[Gloster]

Probably the BYD double-deck demonstrator, registered LF75 OTG. It's been in use on various parts of the Go South Coast patch and is on the island to help out with the forthcoming Isle of Wight Festival.

That looks like it. The festival is not for another three weeks, so are they looking to buy something other than the Wright buses?