Local people in Bitterne, Townhill Park and east Southampton will soon benefit from a new direct bus service to Southampton General Hospital as part of major improvements to the Bluestar 16 service.
From Sunday 30 August, the Bluestar 16 will be extended via Northam, Southampton city centre, Southampton Central Station, Hill Lane and St James' Road before continuing to Southampton General Hospital and Aldermoor Shops. The service will operate every 30 minutes during the day Monday to Saturday and hourly on Sundays.
The revised route will provide a new cross-city connection between east and west Southampton, making it easier for people to access healthcare, education, employment and leisure opportunities without changing buses. It will also introduce a regular bus service along St James' Road in Upper Shirley.
The change to the Bluestar 16 route is part of a wider package of bus service changes coming into effect from Sunday 30 August which respond to feedback from local people and provide new bus routes, more frequent services and improved connections to key destinations.
Councillor Jacqui Rayment, Cabinet Member for Transport, said:
"One of the biggest benefits of the new Bluestar 16 is the direct connection it creates between the east of the City and Southampton General Hospital.
"Reliable, frequent and affordable bus services make a real everyday difference, whether people are travelling to appointments, visiting loved ones, getting to work or studying and this extended route will make those journeys simpler and more convenient.
"The service also strengthens links across the city and provides residents in Upper Shirley with a new regular bus service, giving more people the option to access key destinations without needing to drive."
Passengers can view full route details and timetablesΒ on theΒ BluestarΒ 16Β before the service launchesΒ fromΒ 30 August.
