A brand-new bus route will launch from Sunday 30 August, providing improved connections between Townhill Park, Bitterne, Woolston and Southampton city centre.

The new Bluestar 6 service will operate via Peartree Avenue and Woolston, creating new travel opportunities for residents while significantly improving bus frequencies in Peartree. The route will operate every 30 minutes during the day Monday to Saturday and hourly on Sundays.

The introduction of the service means Peartree Avenue will benefit from buses twice as often as the current service, helping reduce waiting times and making public transport a more convenient option for local journeys. The route also helps maintain strong public transport links following the withdrawal of the Bitterne Hoppa services.

Councillor Jacqui Rayment, Cabinet Member for Transport, said:

“Residents have told us they want bus services that are more reliable, more frequent and that connect them to the places they need to go. The new Bluestar 6 has been designed around those priorities.

“This route will give people in Townhill Park, Peartree and Woolston better access to Bitterne and the city centre, while also providing a much more frequent service for Peartree Avenue.

“By making buses easier and more convenient to use, we’re helping more people choose sustainable travel for everyday journeys and creating stronger connections between our communities.”

Local people can find out more about the changes launching from 30 August on the council’s website and full route details and timetables on the Bluestar website.