Portsmouth passengers will find it easier to travel this Christmas Day, with a number of special bus services in operation.
In collaboration with bus providers Stagecoach South and First Solent, Portsmouth City Council has compiled a festive public transport timetable designed to help local residents and visitors get into the city for celebrations, travel to and from QA Hospital, and reconnect families across the city on Christmas Day.
This initiative is part of the council’s ongoing efforts, supported by the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), a £48 million investment in government funding aimed at transforming bus travel in Portsmouth.
This investment is designed to create faster, more reliable bus services for both residents and visitors, and to encourage more people to use the bus, as part of the council’s overall plan to make travel in the city easier, faster and greener.
Christmas Day Bus Services in Portsmouth (25 December 2024)
First Solent
- Routes 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8 will operate a special Christmas timetable.
- Services will run every hour from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Stagecoach South
- Routes 18, 21 and 23 will operate a special Christmas timetable.
- Services will run every hour from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Additionally, buses will run a Saturday timetable on New Year’s Eve (31 December 2024) and a special service on New Year’s Day (1 January 2025), with an early finish at 6:00 PM on New Year’s Eve and limited services on New Year’s Day.
Due to potential industrial action on 19, 21, 24 and 26 December, there may be disruption to First Solent routes on these dates. The Portsmouth Park and Ride PR1 service will operate as normal. For the latest information on services, please visit the First Solent website.
Cllr Peter Candlish, Cabinet Member for Transport at Portsmouth City Council, said:
“We want to make it as easy as possible for people to enjoy Christmas and New Year with their families and friends. We’re excited to offer special bus services on Christmas Day, helping people get to where they need to be – whether that’s enjoying festive events, visiting loved ones in hospital, or simply spending time with family.”
Marc Reddy, Managing Director at Stagecoach South, said:
“At Stagecoach South, we are proud to support the Portsmouth community by providing a special bus service on Christmas Day. We understand the importance of staying connected during the festive season, whether it’s reuniting with loved ones, attending important commitments, or simply enjoying the celebrations. Being part of this initiative allows us to help make the season a little brighter for residents and visitors alike.”
For more information, visit our website.