In this guest blog by Councillor Peter Candlish, Cabinet Member for Transport for Portsmouth City Council, he shares the incredible success of Portsmouth’s bus network.
As Cabinet Member for Transport, I am proud to share the incredible progress Portsmouth’s bus network has made the past year. We’ve just hit a major milestone, with over 1 million bus journeys being taken each month – an impressive 22.3 per cent increase in bus usage compared to last year. This surge in passengers places Portsmouth among the top four cities in England for bus travel recovery, and we’re the highest improver across the UK.
This success is no accident – it’s the result of a focused effort through our Portsmouth Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), launched in January 2022 with £48.3 million in funding from the Department for Transport. The goal of the BSIP has always been to make travel in our city easier, faster, and greener, and I’m thrilled to see these goals being realised.
A partnership for excellence
One of the key drivers behind this transformation is the strong partnership we’ve developed with First Bus South and Stagecoach South. Together, we’ve revitalised the city’s bus network, making it more reliable, accessible, and appealing to our residents. In recognition of this, Portsmouth was awarded the prestigious Partnership for Excellence Gold Award at this year’s UK Bus Awards. This is a testament to the innovative approach we’ve taken to improve public transport.
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Making bus travel more accessible
Our Pompey ticket range has been a game changer, offering affordable and convenient travel options for a range of passengers. From discounted fares for students and young people to special tickets for group travel and those on late night journeys, we’ve ensured that bus travel is accessible to everyone. The Pompey Young Person ticket has been particularly popular, making it easier for young people to travel affordably around the city. And thanks to the 90-minute Hoppa ticket, passengers can hop on and off as they need, making the bus a flexible option for a variety of journeys.
Additionally, we’ve run fare free schemes to encourage people to give the bus a try. Over 191,000 extra journeys were made during September weekends in 2023 and 2024 alone, representing an increase in bus patronage of more than 46 per cent. These schemes are proving to be incredibly effective in enticing new passengers, and we’re committed to continuing them in the future.
Evening and weekend travel made easier
We’ve also introduced two 24/7 bus routes to make sure that everyone, no matter their schedule, can rely on public transport. In addition, we’ve increased services during evenings and weekends, which is helping to meet the needs of commuters and residents who need to travel during off-peak hours.
Focus on inclusivity and accessibility
In 2024, we launched the Easy Travel Access Fund, which has been instrumental in improving accessibility for passengers with disabilities and those with additional mobility needs. Through this fund, we’ve provided support to community groups, businesses and charities, helping them enhance access to public transport for a wide range of passengers. This initiative is a key part of our goal to make Portsmouth’s bus services inclusive and user-friendly for everyone.
Upgrading infrastructure for a better experience
We’re also making significant improvements to bus stops and bus lanes around the city, including the installation of new information screens at stops in the new year. These upgrades will help make bus journeys faster and more reliable. The improvements don’t stop there – we’re continuously working to enhance the overall passenger experience and contribute to further growth in bus usage.
Looking ahead
As we continue to push for a more sustainable and accessible transport network, I’m excited about the future. Our work is already delivering results, but we’re not stopping here. We remain committed to going above and beyond, aiming to exceed pre-pandemic levels of bus travel and making public transport even more convenient and affordable for everyone in Portsmouth.
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It’s clear that with the right support and investment, we can continue to lead the way in transforming bus travel. If you want to learn more about our plans and stay up-to-date with the latest developments, visit our website.
