Portsmouth’s innovative on-demand bus service, Pompey Link, will now continue to connect Paulsgrove and Port Solent until the end of March 2027, following a positive first six months of operation.
Originally introduced as a 10-month trial, Pompey Link has transformed travel for residents in areas that previously lacked direct public transport connections. Since June 2025, the Pompey Link vehicles have so far travelled 2,540 miles, helping residents reach work, medical appointments, local services, shops, and entertainment. Both the service and its bus drivers have consistently received top feedback from users.
Pompey Link operates flexibly, with no set routes or timetables. Passengers can book a trip on demand or up to four days in advance, by phone, online, or using the free Book a Journey app, and will be picked up from their nearest bus stop, with real-time journey tracking available. Additional stops at Queen Alexandra Hospital and Cosham Interchange are available for those travelling to and from Port Solent, allowing passengers to connect to other bus and rail links in the city.
The service is delivered by charity Community First and is made possible through funding from the Portsmouth Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) and the Solent Transport Future Transport Zone.
Cllr Peter Candlish, Cabinet Member for Transport at Portsmouth City Council, said:
“Pompey Link is a convenient, reliable, and accessible new form of public transport, and I’m delighted it will continue until March 2027. It’s becoming a vital link for Paulsgrove and Port Solent, helping people travel for work, appointments, and leisure. Passenger feedback has been fantastic, and this extension shows our determination to make travel across Portsmouth easier and better for everyone.”
Fabian Cook, Head of Transport & Mobility at Community First, said:
“We are proud to support residents of Paulsgrove and Port Solent with this vital transport solution. Our team of drivers and coordinators, supported by Portsmouth City Council, have worked incredibly hard to build the service from the ground up and are thrilled to have received an extension. We will continue to deliver high standards of service, focusing on supporting our communities and their transport needs.”
For more information about Pompey Link, visit the Travel Portsmouth website.