Go South Coast

[James H]

Meanwhile Bournemouth University is cutting the U2 service between Poole and Talbot Campus from half-hourly to hourly (and also cutting the holiday-time service on the U1 from every 15 minutes to half-hourly)

U1 and U2 changes from 23 February

Find out how your journey could be affected...

www.unibuses.co.uk

Following a request from Bournemouth University, there will be a few changes to the U1 and U2.

From Monday 23 February:

• U2 frequency will be reduced from every 30 minutes to an hourly service.
• During term time, the U1 journey arriving at 08:25 at Talbot Campus will leave 5 minutes earlier to arrive at 08:20.

From Monday 29 March, the U1 vacation timetable will reduce from every 15 minutes to every 30 minutes.

 

[Towers]

A post has appeared on Instagram with

Morebus 1647 has now become a New Forest Breezer, and five more NFB vehicles are on order for the X1/2 and Bluestar 6



https://www.morebus.co.uk/introducing-new-forest-breezers

I have been informed that Morebus 1014 is withdrawn due to engine failure, while 1016/7, Wilts & Dorset 1019/20 & 1824 New Forest Tour are on loan to Salisbury Reds

Does this mark the end for the East Lancs open toppers?

 

[Flange Squeal]

Does this mark the end for the East Lancs open toppers?

One can only hope not, particularly as the New Forest Tour page on the website is still advertising a return in 2026! The red and blue routes being halved in frequency last year wasn’t a good sign though, and I’ve heard unsubstantiated rumours that this year will consist of just one altered route. Not sure what overall reliability of the ageing New Forest convertibles is like, as to whether that was a contributory factor in last years reduction or if it was purely down to patronage. They were certainly all busy when I did all three the year before, but then I only went on sunny days so that will have obviously helped my small sample size!

 

[Towers]

One can only hope not, particularly as the New Forest Tour page on the website is still advertising a return in 2026! The red and blue routes being halved in frequency last year wasn’t a good sign though, and I’ve heard unsubstantiated rumours that this year will consist of just one altered route. Not sure what overall reliability of the ageing New Forest convertibles is like, as to whether that was a contributory factor in last years reduction or if it was purely down to patronage. They were certainly all busy when I did all three the year before, but then I only went on sunny days so that will have obviously helped my small sample size!

Is the above mentioned New Forest Breezer something different from the existing New Forest Tour? I assumed it was a rebrand!

 

[Ancelljb]

The New Forest Tour has not been mentioned anywhere by Morebus. This new brand (New Forest Breezer) is for routes X1, X2 and 6 which run through the New Forest.

There has been no mention of it replacing the tour or it being the end of the open tops. All we can do is wait and see what comes when we get to open top season.

 

[aliceh]

One can only hope not, particularly as the New Forest Tour page on the website is still advertising a return in 2026! The red and blue routes being halved in frequency last year wasn’t a good sign though, and I’ve heard unsubstantiated rumours that this year will consist of just one altered route. Not sure what overall reliability of the ageing New Forest convertibles is like, as to whether that was a contributory factor in last years reduction or if it was purely down to patronage. They were certainly all busy when I did all three the year before, but then I only went on sunny days so that will have obviously helped my small sample size!

I think reliability has been a bit of a mixed back for them, and was almost certainly a factor in the reduction last year. Red route 1823 was repaired rather quickly after a nasty smash in Charminster because its counterpart 1824 was so unreliable I think it spent more of the first half of the year off the road than on, and has been on very light duties for most of 2025. Green route 1828 was also out for most of the summer, I believe.

Conversely, some of the other Vykings seem pretty indestructible and are running around Bournemouth and Poole with no issue day in day out. But they are 20-plus years old now and very tired inside, which doesn't give the greatest impression for the tourists they want to use the service. Then again, you're probably not going on an open top tour of the forest to look at the bus interior.

 

[davedorset]

Is the above mentioned New Forest Breezer something different from the existing New Forest Tour? I assumed it was a rebrand!

A rebrand

 

[Towers]

I think reliability has been a bit of a mixed back for them, and was almost certainly a factor in the reduction last year. Red route 1823 was repaired rather quickly after a nasty smash in Charminster because its counterpart 1824 was so unreliable I think it spent more of the first half of the year off the road than on, and has been on very light duties for most of 2025. Green route 1828 was also out for most of the summer, I believe.

Conversely, some of the other Vykings seem pretty indestructible and are running around Bournemouth and Poole with no issue day in day out. But they are 20-plus years old now and very tired inside, which doesn't give the greatest impression for the tourists they want to use the service. Then again, you're probably not going on an open top tour of the forest to look at the bus interior.

They are undeniably in a bit of a state! The mismatched seat squabs certainly don’t scream quality…

 

[Eyersey468]

They are undeniably in a bit of a state! The mismatched seat squabs certainly don’t scream quality…

They certainly don't based on the pictures I've seen

 

[OlBus17]

The first of the Wrightbus Electroliners for Salisbury & the Isle of Wight have started to roll off the production line, these will be numbered 13XXs

Friends of Buses and Coaches | One of many WB electroliners due as part of the big order with GoAhead group | Facebook

One of many WB electroliners due as part of the big order with GoAhead group. This will be due for Salisbury

www.facebook.com

 

[341o2]

1647 in service on X2 testerday and today

 

[PTR 444]

The New Forest Tour has not been mentioned anywhere by Morebus. This new brand (New Forest Breezer) is for routes X1, X2 and 6 which run through the New Forest.

There has been no mention of it replacing the tour or it being the end of the open tops. All we can do is wait and see what comes when we get to open top season.

I’ve often wondered whether the New Forest Tour routes should be made into “regular” point to point bus routes which operate in both directions and charge normal bus fares, as opposed to the current “tour bus” setup. Concessionary pass holders for example can catch the Bournemouth - Swanage 50 for free, but not on any of the New Forest Tour routes which seems a bit unfair. Perhaps the “New Forest Breezer” brand is destined to be something bigger.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I’ve often wondered whether the New Forest Tour routes should be made into “regular” point to point bus routes which operate in both directions and charge normal bus fares, as opposed to the current “tour bus” setup. Concessionary pass holders for example can catch the Bournemouth - Swanage 50 for free, but not on any of the New Forest Tour routes which seems a bit unfair. Perhaps the “New Forest Breezer” brand is destined to be something bigger.

NOOOOO!

The 150 is a long standing bus service that is there for commuters, shoppers etc. The NF Tours are a purely tourist orientated service. If you change that and start giving free travel to pensioners and any other pass holder so they can have a jolly, then that will take money from supporting tendered services.

 

[PTR 444]

NOOOOO!

The 150 is a long standing bus service that is there for commuters, shoppers etc. The NF Tours are a purely tourist orientated service. If you change that and start giving free travel to pensioners and any other pass holder so they can have a jolly, then that will take money from supporting tendered services.

Fair point. I guess the routes could still charge a premium but operate on a linear route so that tourists can travel back in the same direction they came from.

I remember about 10 years ago there was a service called “Forest Bus Baby”, which ran from Ringwood to Hythe via Burley, Brockenhurst and Beaulieu. Not sure if that was a standard service or part of the New Forest Tour network.

The big question is that if any New Forest routes get new buses, will they be able to fit under the low bridges at Holmsley and Amperes Park?

 

[WibbleWobble]

I remember about 10 years ago there was a service called “Forest Bus Baby”, which ran from Ringwood to Hythe via Burley, Brockenhurst and Beaulieu. Not sure if that was a standard service or part of the New Forest Tour network.

Forest Bus Baby was a standard service but funded by the National Park. It was branded alongside the Forest Bus which was a co-brand applied to Blueatar 6 for a couple of years.

 

[PTR 444]

Forest Bus Baby was a standard service but funded by the National Park.

Thanks for the info. It’s a shame that it didn’t continue, even just in the summer months, as it plugged a significant east-west public transport gap within the New Forest.

 

[Mark L]

Fair point. I guess the routes could still charge a premium but operate on a linear route so that tourists can travel back in the same direction they came from.

I remember about 10 years ago there was a service called “Forest Bus Baby”, which ran from Ringwood to Hythe via Burley, Brockenhurst and Beaulieu. Not sure if that was a standard service or part of the New Forest Tour network.

The big question is that if any New Forest routes get new buses, will they be able to fit under the low bridges at Holmsley and Amperes Park?

Providing they are low height then yes they should fit (and legally!). The E400s are 4.2m high.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Feb 2026 ==

NOOOOO!

The 150 is a long standing bus service that is there for commuters, shoppers etc. The NF Tours are a purely tourist orientated service. If you change that and start giving free travel to pensioners and any other pass holder so they can have a jolly, then that will take money from supporting tendered services.

Additionally, I’d have thought that most passengers on a tourist service would prefer a circular journey rather than having to return by the same route. Some years ago NFT buses towed a cycle trailer which allowed passengers to explore parts of the forest not served by bus and then either join the service further along the route, catch a train or continue under their own steam. To be honest I don’t recall actually seeing anyone load a bike into the trailer (or take one off!) so it may not have been an overwhelming success.

 

[341o2]

The current New Forest tour buses have space for three bicycles. for a moment I tought this year's timetable had been published as their sitesays that they are getting ready for the new season (2026) but the one online is the 2025 service. I wonder how long before a New Forest Breezer will be used on a Tour route. I know of two instances where a standard Bluestar vehiche has been used.

 

[markymark2000]

GoSouthCoast subsidiary Excelsior Coaches is getting 2 new Yutong GT12s to compliment their existing 4 Temsa HD12s for Flixbus work.

FlixBus and Excelsior Expand UK Coach Network with New Yutong Buses

FlixBus is set to increase its presence in the South of England through an expanded partnership with Dorset-based operator Excelsior.

bus-news.com

FlixBus is set to increase its presence in the South of England through an expanded partnership with Dorset-based operator Excelsior.

The collaboration, which first introduced FlixBus services to the region in May 2025, will add vehicles to the network ahead of the spring season.

As part of a long-term agreement, two new Yutong GT12 coaches built to FlixBus specifications will join Excelsior’s FlixBus-branded fleet, which already includes four Temsa HD12 vehicles.

 

[davedorset]

The current New Forest tour buses have space for three bicycles. for a moment I tought this year's timetable had been published as their sitesays that they are getting ready for the new season (2026) but the one online is the 2025 service. I wonder how long before a New Forest Breezer will be used on a Tour route. I know of two instances where a standard Bluestar vehiche has been used.

The brezzer brand is replacing the tour buses.

 

[buslad1988]

Southern Vectis’ new electric deckers have started arriving. Quite the move on having stripes/diagonals on their livery after all the years of swoops and wavey lines.

Interesting that they’ve gone for normal bus seats inside rather than the usual high spec too.

Facebook

www.facebook.com

 

[Lynford1976]

Southern Vectis’ new electric deckers have started arriving. Quite the move on having stripes/diagonals on their livery after all the years of swoops and wavey lines.

Interesting that they’ve gone for normal bus seats inside rather than the usual high spec too.

Facebook

www.facebook.com

The livery has been adjusted on these because the "swoops" couldn't be made to fit the Streetdeck's angular lines.

Seats with lower backs were specified as it was felt the higher-backed seats were blocking the scenic views of the Isle of Wight.

 

[Vexed]

I have to say I like the livery up close. When I saw a couple going the other way towards Southampton on the A34 at first glance I thought they were old Pulsar Geminis!

 

[buslad1988]

The livery has been adjusted on these because the "swoops" couldn't be made to fit the Streetdeck's angular lines.

Seats with lower backs were specified as it was felt the higher-backed seats were blocking the scenic views of the Isle of Wight.

Ah that’s interesting, many thanks.

It’s quite a refreshing change! Nice to see some thought put into the choice of seats too. Do you know what moquette they have? I always had a soft spot for the original turquoise one (like the citaro’s received) rather than the later blue.

 

[Lynford1976]

Ah that’s interesting, many thanks.

It’s quite a refreshing change! Nice to see some thought put into the choice of seats too. Do you know what moquette they have? I always had a soft spot for the original turquoise one (like the citaro’s received) rather than the later blue.

No problem. Haven't seen the interior yet so can't comment.

 

[WibbleWobble]

Do you know what moquette they have?

New GSC standard, same as the m1/m2 E400MMCs on the mainland.

 

[Andyh82]

Four people have been taken to hospital after a Southern Vectis double decker overturned and ended up in a field

Four in hospital after double-decker bus topples over in Brading

The bus operator says three passengers and the driver were all taken to hospital.

www.bbc.co.uk

Four hurt after double-decker bus topples over
Four people have been taken to hospital after a double-decker bus veered off a road and rolled on to its side.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said officers were called just before 07:50 GMT to reports of a vehicle leaving the road at Marshcombe Shute, Brading, Isle of Wight.
The bus operator Southern Vectis confirmed there were three passengers as well as the driver on-board at the time and police said they sustained minor injuries. All four have been taken to St Mary's Hospital in Newport.

 

[Gloster]

Four people have been taken to hospital after a Southern Vectis double decker overturned and ended up in a field

Four in hospital after double-decker bus topples over in Brading

The bus operator says three passengers and the driver were all taken to hospital.

www.bbc.co.uk

1659 on the 06.55 Ryde to Newport 2. It looks as though it may have suffered some damage at the rear of the roof.

 

[fgwrich]

1659 on the 06.55 Ryde to Newport 2. It looks as though it may have suffered some damage at the rear of the roof.

I did think that, as it seems to have shifted. Either ADL can repair it or GSC may have its first part open top MMC*

There is also an unfortunate irony in that the advert on the side has the words “ This Bus Can Take Off The Road”

*they do exist to my surprise as I found out in Glasgow - West Coast Motors have two; YN66BBZ & YN66BBX.

 

[Dfatcontroller]

I did think that, as it seems to have shifted. Either ADL can repair it or GSC may have its first part open top MMC*

There is also an unfortunate irony in that the advert on the side has the words “ This Bus Can Take Off The Road”

*they do exist to my surprise as I found out in Glasgow - West Coast Motors have two; YN66BBZ & YN66BBX.

The West Coast Motors pair are on a Scania chassis.