Bus passengers in Southampton and surrounding areas should prepare for changes to services this weekend, as Bluestar updates its timetables starting Saturday, 12 April 2026. These adjustments include both service reductions on some routes and improvements to others, following changes to funding from Hampshire County Council.
The operator, which runs a fleet of approximately 327 buses, confirmed that it is reducing some services due to budget constraints. Specifically, buses on the T3 and T4 routes will no longer run on Saturdays, and several other weekday services will now terminate by 14:30. Other routes affected by recent adjustments include B*17, H1/H2, and the 35/36 services.
Despite these reductions, some commuters will see increased frequency. The Bluestar 2 route, which connects Southampton, Eastleigh, and Fair Oak, is now operating every 15 minutes on Saturdays, an improvement from the previous 20-minute frequency. The route has also introduced enhanced evening services on weekdays.
Ed Wills, managing director of Bluestar, stated that the company must make difficult decisions regarding where to allocate resources, noting that funding is not unlimited. The operator continues to work alongside Southampton City Council and the county council to manage the local transport network.
In addition to these timetable changes, passengers using the Route 22 service should be aware of a temporary diversion. Due to a closure on Foundry Lane, buses are currently being diverted via Shirley High Street and Park Street in both directions. This disruption is expected to remain in place until Tuesday, 14 April 2026. Residents are encouraged to check the official Bluestar website or mobile app for the latest information on specific departure times before they travel.
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