Portsmouth City Council is celebrating the big improvements made to the city’s bus network through the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). These changes have helped boost bus use by 41% in the past two years, with more than one million journeys now made each month, the best post Covid recovery of any UK city.
Across the city, passengers are now seeing real, visible upgrades. More than 572 bus stops have been audited and plans made for improvements including clearer signs, better lighting and more seating, making them easier and safer to use. 251 shelters are being refurbished, extending their life by 10 years and cutting carbon by around 94% compared with building new ones.
Thanks to the investments in bus services, the number of people paying for bus tickets is now 26% higher than 2019. This change helps to make bus routes financially sustainable, meaning bus operators can invest in even more frequent services and future improvements.
Information is also easier to access. A total of 529 bus stop information screens are being rolled out, giving over 90% of stops live updates. Each screen will include a pushbutton audio feature for blind and visually impaired passengers, as well as QR codes for quick mobile updates.
Passengers are benefiting from improvements on key routes too, including upgrades to speed up buses along the A3 Northern Parade corridor. These changes help buses run more reliably and cut delays, with targeted red route surfacing across the city reducing illegal lane use by up to 92%.
On board, travel is smoother and more accessible. Buses now have clearer audio and visual next stop announcements, alongside faster tap on, tap off payments. Investment in modern vehicles continues, including the rollout of 62 new electric buses through the ZEBRA scheme.
The council has also supported residents facing barriers to travel, with £300,000 awarded through the Easy Travel Access Fund for projects that help people build confidence using public transport or access free or supported travel.
Fare free bus events have also encouraged more people to try the bus, creating almost 282,000 extra journeys and preventing more than 180,000 car trips, showing how small changes in how we travel can make a big difference for the whole city.
Cllr Peter Candlish, Cabinet Member for Transport, said:
“We’re building a bus network that works for everyone. These improvements, from better shelters to clearer information and more reliable buses, are already making travel easier, cleaner and more convenient. When more people choose the bus, we all benefit. It means less congestion, cleaner air and a city that moves better.”
More improvements will continue throughout 2026, including the final rollout of bus stop information screens, further bus shelter refurbishments and additional upgrades across key bus routes. Find out more on the Travel Portsmouth website.