Portsmouth City Council has been recognised for its collaborative efforts to improve bus services across the city, as gold winners of the Partnership for Excellence award at the UK Bus Awards 2024.
The council, alongside local bus operators Stagecoach South and First Solent, was recognised for the success of the local partnership in delivering the Portsmouth Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) which has enhanced the accessibility, convenience, and affordability of bus travel in Portsmouth to the benefit of all road users in the city.
Since January 2022, Portsmouth City Council has been investing in the city’s bus network with the Portsmouth Bus Service Improvement Plan, a £48.3 million Department for Transport-funded grant to transform bus services in the city.
Key improvements include a range of ticketing deals and fare free schemes to encourage people to try out the bus, as well as service improvements, such as two 24/7 bus routes and more buses at evenings and weekends, when people need them the most. The incentives are designed to make bus travel more attractive, as well as to improve the ease of traffic flow and enhance the reliability of services for everyone travelling in Portsmouth.
Alongside this achievement, the team were also highly commended in the Going for Growth category, which recognises the efforts of bus operators, transport authorities, and other bodies responsible for commissioning and operating bus services, that can show a demonstrable increase in passenger numbers. Data from the Department for Transport (DfT) shows that Portsmouth was also rated as the number one city in the UK for bringing passengers back to the bus, and the city has seen an increase of over two million passenger trips in the last year.
Cllr Peter Candlish, Cabinet Member for Transport at Portsmouth City Council, said:
“We’re delighted to have won the Partnership for Excellence award and to be Highly Commended in the Going for Growth category at these prestigious awards- this is a reflection of the many improvements that have been made to make bus travel easier and more accessible in Portsmouth. We’re proud to be a part of the Portsmouth Buses Partnership and look forward to further developing the city’s bus network to make it more convenient for people to use the bus, as well as reducing congestion and improving the efficiency of travel across the city.”
Marc Reddy, Managing Director of Stagecoach South, said:
“We’re delighted that Portsmouth City Council, Stagecoach South, and First Bus have been recognised with the Partnership for Excellence award at the UK Bus Awards 2024. This achievement highlights the impact of working together to transform bus services in the city. At Stagecoach South, we’re proud to have played a key role in the success of the Portsmouth Bus Service Improvement Plan and look forward to continuing our collaboration to deliver even more benefits for passengers.”
Simon Goff, Managing Director of First Solent, said:
“This award demonstrates what can be achieved through partnership. Our shared dedication is delivering – bringing sustainable, innovative, and accessible transport solutions for the people of Portsmouth. This achievement is a testament to the hard work of our teams and our commitment to making a positive impact on the community – introducing clean, green electric buses, improving air quality and reducing congestion.”
Find out more about public transport and the improvements to bus services: travel.portsmouth.gov.uk/public-transport.