By New bus route to provide vital Portsmouth transport link
A trial bus service operating between The Hard and The Hayling Ferry will provide a vital transport link for commuters, shoppers, visitors and onward travellers.
Portsmouth City Council is providing funding for the new ’25’ First Solent service, starting on Sunday, August 30.
The new experimental route will provide a direct link between Gunwharf Quays, Southsea Shops and Albert/Highland Road.
Other prominent areas featured along the route include The Hotwalls, Portsmouth Cathedral and Bransbury Park.
The service, which will operate between The Hard Interchange and Eastney via Old Portsmouth, Southsea shops and Devonshire Avenue, will allow passengers to get on and off in commercial, residential and leisure areas along the way.
The council successfully bid for funding from the Better Deal for Bus Users and the remainder of the money will be from by existing council budgets.
The new service replaces and extends the previous First Solent routes 6, 15 and 16, which were taken out of operation during lockdown.
Cllr Lynne Stagg, Cabinet Member for Traffic and Transportation, said “I am delighted that we have been able to provide funding from the Better Deal for Bus Users to support this essential service, working closely with our transport partners at First Solent.
“I hope we will see a positive take up of the service which residents and visitors have been missing during past months.
“Passenger support is vital to the success of this service so that we can continue the route past March when funding ceases.”
The 25 service will run every 45 minutes off-peak between Monday and Saturday and every 90 minutes during peak hours and on Sundays and bank holidays. Customers can find the full timetable on the First Solent website www.firstgroup.com/portsmouth.
A review of the 25 service will take place in March once the trial period is complete.
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