Having just started university down here in Portsmouth, and living without a car, i often find myself using the local bus services.
There are two main companies, First and Stagecoach, providing local routes. First operate most of the city and some inter-city services, and stagecoach only operate a few.
Generally, i find that other students dislike using the bus services, some say it's more expensive than owning a car down here and others just say they'd rather get a taxi from A-B. On a personal note, i'd recommend them to anyone - and they are a lot cheaper than bringing a car to university!
First have a large selection of routes to almost anywhere, many of which run late in the evenings and on sundays too. For example, thisevening (sunday) i used a service which runs every 30mins until about 11pm - can't ask more than that can you?
They have a selection of buses, mostly no older than 6 years old and all in general good, clean condition. They have no double deckers, lots of long buses (with about 60/70 seats) and some smaller buses (with about 30 seats). These are normally distributed on the appropriate services, so the larger buses on the busier routes etc.
They have a travel shop at the main station forecourt which sells advance tickets and are also agents for National Express. The staff in here are extremely helpful, i've been in numerous times especially when i first moved down here.
Their drivers are mostly helpful, some are a little quiet and seem rude, but they do put up with a lot from the public being rude at them - a lot of the time about fares or whatever, something which is completly out of their control. I think people should be a bit more careful about who they complain to, a driver is not responcible for a fare increasing so why upset them or be rude to them?
The only thing i would like to see improved is slightly lower fares, or a fare-increase hold for a while. I have recently found out that First offer a 50% student discount to all students with a valid NUS card (basically, all students who havn't lost their campus card). You have to ask for it, just show your NUS card. I would recommend to them that they should advertise this more, because now i can get to the town centre for 67p - i would rather do this than pay £5 for a taxi!
Overall, i'm happy to use them regularly, they provide a good service with clean buses which is not too expensive (compared to other companies). Their staff are normally fine and some are really helpful. At most bus-stops there is a shelter or at least a seat, and always a timetable. Occasionally things go wrong a buses don't run on time, but i think that is mostly beyond their control. They know where people want to go from and too, and provide good services between these places. Well done to all involved.
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sounds like a reliable enough company - nice review
BournemouthLad 15.03.2004 00:08
Can't remember the last time I got a bus anywhere!!
Sean_lawston 14.03.2004 23:20
They'd rather get a taxi everywhere? Geez, I thought I was lazy! At least I got myself a bike when I was fed up of forking out for the buses in Birmingham...
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Advantages: Buses go to all parts of Southampton. New buses provide comfort for all passengers, also good disabled facilities available. Free service from Train Station to the West Quay Shopping Centre. Disadvantages: The old buses are basically awful, needs to get rid of them and bring in newer buses. Needs to win back old bus users and introduce Student schemes.
TYoung 06.09.2001 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of First Southampton
Advantages: They turn up usually (best we've got). Disadvantages: Poor value for money, average reliability, some rude staff and consistent cuts in services.
lukeamotionXL100 14.10.2009 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of First Southampton
Advantages: Buses go to all parts of Southampton. New buses provide comfort for all passengers, also good disabled facilities available. Free service from Train Station to the West Quay Shopping Centre. Disadvantages: The old buses are basically awful, needs to get rid of them and bring in newer buses. Needs to win back old bus users and introduce Student schemes.
TYoung 06.09.2001 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of First Southampton
Mar 14th, 2004
(May 20th, 2004)
exceptional by (5%):
very helpful by (79%):
helpful by (16%):
