New bus route to take passengers to Ocean Retail Park and beyond

A brand-new route 19 is being introduced to connect bus passengers between Anchorage Park and Leigh Park, stopping at the Airport Industrial Estate, Admiral Lord Nelson School and Ocean Retail Park. Buses will run every hour between Monday and Saturday.

Additionally, the popular route 18 will be enhanced, extending to Clarence Pier and running every 20 minutes between Monday and Saturday, and every 30 minutes on Sunday, offering a more frequent service for passengers.

These enhancements are part of the Portsmouth BSIP and are aimed at meeting the growing demand for faster and more frequent public transport.

Portsmouth City Council has partnered with local bus operator, Stagecoach, to bring these much-needed changes to the city, that will take effect from 6 April 2025. The new route and improved services will support commuters, shoppers, students and visitors to QA Hospital. They will provide better connections to key destinations across Portsmouth and offer a convenient connection for those heading to the Isle of Wight via Hovertravel.

Improving the bus service is a key part of the council’s overall plan to make travel in the city better for everyone.

Cllr Peter Candlish, Cabinet Member for Transport, said:

“We’re excited to further enhance Portsmouth’s bus network, making it easier and more efficient to get around the city. These changes, part of our broader plan to improve travel for all, are based on feedback from our residents and will improve transport for commuters and visitors alike. We’re committed to delivering services that meet the needs of our community.”

Rob Vince, Business Development Manager for Stagecoach said:

“We’re proud to partner with Portsmouth City Council to enhance bus services across Portsmouth. Through joint investment, we’re improving reliability, expanding services, and strengthening key connections to QA Hospital, Ocean Retail Park and the Isle of Wight—making travel more convenient and accessible for our communities.”

Key improvements to bus services:

• Service 18: Southsea • Fratton • Hilsea • QA Hospital • Paulsgrove
  Service 18 will run every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime, and every 30 minutes on Sundays. Buses will extend to Clarance Pier and will now call at St Jude’s Church for Southsea Shops, offering better access to Southsea and improved connections to Hovertravel for the Isle of Wight.
• Service 19: Leigh Park • Farlington • Burrfields • Portsmouth City Centre
  The new service 19, replacing the 21 between Anchorage Park and Leigh Park, will run every hour Monday to Saturday. The service will link Leigh Park with Farlington, the Airport Industrial Estate, Admiral Lord Nelson School, Ocean Retail Park, and Portsmouth city centre, providing faster, more direct travel for those living in and around the Leigh Park area.

For further details on the new services and full timetables, visit the Stagecoach website.