Portsmouth X Files (1)

There was a certain amount of angst when Stuart Linn (latterly boss of Southern Vectis), in consultancy mode, was invited to design a new network for First Bus in Portsmouth. The press had a field day, supported by vox pop interviews wth Elsie Miggins of Hilsea who opined, "How can a bus be numbered '0'; that makes no sense."

What was worse was that route 0 was a both-ways-round circular numbered '0' in both directiions! Although, pedantically, there were no shared stops, there were stops for both directions next to each other.

A bloggist wrote ...

We'll start with route Zero. This brand new route connects Tipner with North End, Southsea, Eastney and Hilsea and vice versa.  Furthermore, there have been many suggestions to connect route Zero to the QA Hospital. With the forthcoming service review, it will be interesting to see what happens to the Zero - I can't see it remaining the same in 18 months time.

... and he was right!

The route did not go down too well with the average Portsmithian! Stuart hotly denied that it was a bludner, stating that he had offered First's management THREE options and they had chosen the option that included route '0'.

The historic (?) 3 to Paulsgrove ... 

... now had a 3A.

The 0 was replaced with a non circular 17 and 18 and the 3As became 3s! The 3 was (and still is) joined by route 2 at Paulsgrove.

The 2 has been around for ever!

Route 3 now starts from Fareham and runs via Portchester Castle ...

... rather than the obvious main road, before venturing into Paulsgrove and the hospital.

To add to the fun, the 3 once terminated at The Hard interchange aka Portsmouth Harbour Station aka Gunwharf ...

... and was subsequently extended to Southsea, South Parade Pier.

And it wasn't branded "Star"!

For the nostalgic joy of trolleybus aficionados, Portsmouth Harbour Station OR The Hard used to be called "Dockyard" and was the main central terminus for the city's trolleybus network.

To the mix, we need to add the X4 and X5 which linked Southampton with Portsmouth (X4) and Gosport (X5).

But that changed as well.

How bus passengers yearn for stability!

How bus operators just love to change things!

The current situation is shown on the map below ...

... where we see that the X5 pictured below departing Gosport ...

... now runs from Portsmouth instead.

Worry not dear reader; things change again from 26th inst. But fbb is on the case; he understands what will happen (clever clogs) and will reveal all tomorrow.

 Next X Files blog : Tuesday 7th July