Portsmouth City Council has attributed a resurgence in bus usage over the past year to its Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), launched in 2022.
The highway authority said more than a million bus journeys are taken each month, up 22.3% and placing Portsmouth in the top four cities across England for bus travel recovery, and the highest improver in the UK.
It said much of this success is thanks to the ongoing efforts of the BSIP, launched in January 2022 with £48.3m from the Department for Transport (DfT) and delivered in partnership with local bus companies First Bus South and Stagecoach South.
The council cited among its key achievements the launch of the Pompey ticket range and the Pompey Young Person ticket, aimed at making bus travel more convenient, affordable, and accessible for passengers, with discounted travel options.
Fare-free schemes generated over 191,000 extra bus journeys over September weekends in 2023 and 2024, increasing bus patronage by over 46%.
In addition, the city has introduced two 24/7 bus routes and increased services during evenings and weekends, while 2024 has also seen the launch of the Easy Travel Access Fund, which has helped improve accessibility and convenience for passengers with disabilities and additional mobility needs and communities who have found it difficult to access the bus.
Peter Candlish, cabinet member for transport, said: ‘Portsmouth is leading the way in getting people back on the buses, and we couldn’t be prouder of how far we’ve come.
‘This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about making buses a more inclusive, innovative, and reliable way to travel. We’re determined to keep building on this success, ensuring that buses remain an easy and affordable choice for everyone in Portsmouth.'
First Bus South managing director Simon Goff added: ‘The Portsmouth Bus Service Improvement Plan has been a game-changer for public transport in the city.
‘This has been a fantastic year for bus travel, as we rolled out Portsmouth’s first electric buses, showing our commitment to delivering cleaner, modern and more accessible travel.’
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