Portsmouth makes free bus offer
Buses in Portsmouth will be free during weekends this September.
As part of its Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), Portsmouth City Council has collaborated with First Solent and Stagecoach South to offer the free weekend travel. The offer applies to all bus services when getting on the bus within the Portsmouth boundary from 31 August.
The offer is designed to show people how easy and convenient using the bus can be during Catch the Bus Month.
Other BSIP schemes in play in the city include the Pompey bus ticket range, which can be used interchangeably on both Stagecoach South and First Solent buses. These special Portsmouth tickets include a Pompey Hoppa90, a Pompey Group and a Pompey Night Owl ticket. The government’s £2 fare cap is also in place in Portsmouth.
“I want more people to use the bus whenever they can” – Cllr Peter Candlish, Cabinet Member for Transport
Cllr Peter Candlish, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “The bus is an easy, convenient and affordable mode of transport in our city. I want more people to use the bus whenever they can, either as part of their daily routine like going to work or for specific trips like shopping or an evening out.
That’s why I’m delighted to announce that every weekend in September we are offering free travel on the buses for everyone. If more people use the bus, there would be less traffic on the roads, improved air quality and local journey times will decrease too! Everyone wins.”
“With our new electric buses due to arrive in Portsmouth in the coming months, we’re proud to be part of the change to greener travel” – Simon Goff, Managing Director, First Solent
Simon Goff, Managing Director, First Solent, said: “We’re proud to be supporting this fantastic initiative, helping people realise the many benefits of using the buses. With our new electric buses due to arrive in Portsmouth in the coming months, we’re proud to be part of the change to greener travel.”
“We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Portsmouth City Council on this great initiative” – Marc Reddy Managing Director of Stagecoach South
Marc Reddy Managing Director of Stagecoach South, said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Portsmouth City Council on this great initiative.
“By offering free travel at weekends, we want to encourage people to try the bus, perhaps for a regular commute, to go to the shops, a restaurant, or to spend their weekends enjoying the amazing attractions and great beauty of our city and help the air quality.”