Go-Ahead buses keep communities connected this Christmas
- Go-Ahead will keep families and friends connected over Christmas with a comprehensive festive bus timetable.
- Vital services will continue throughout festive break, with buses travelling to key sites including Heathrow, Gatwick and local hospitals across the UK
- The Isle of Wight’s Southern Vectis will run buses on five routes on Christmas Day
9 December – Go-Ahead will be running one of the most comprehensive Christmas bus timetables ever this year – with services operating on 25 December across the Isle of Wight, the South Coast and into Heathrow and Gatwick.
The services support Go-Ahead’s goal of keeping communities connected throughout the festive break, allowing families to travel without worry, and assist those who are working through Christmas. Many of the services include routes to local hospitals and into rural areas, supporting connections to those who may be at risk of being isolated.
From Christmas Eve through to New Year’s Day, Isle of Wight service Southern Vectis offer the UK’s most comprehensive festive bus timetable. It will run five routes that allow customers to get around the whole island, including trips into town for festive drinks, family reunions on Christmas Day, and home for midnight on New Year’s Day.
Go South Coast, which provides services within Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire will be running several special services on Christmas Day.
The Oxford Bus Company will be running special coach services to from Oxford to both Heathrow and Gatwick, allowing essential connections to Britain’s two biggest airports for those going away or heading home this Christmas.
‘Sunday services’ will run on Boxing Day to allow bargain hunters to hit the shops for the Christmas sales.
Go-Ahead Customer Director Katy Taylor said:
"Christmas is a time when communities need to stay connected. That's why we are continuing to run bus services across the country throughout the festive period, which is especially helpful to those running lifeline services getting to work, for those getting to their loved ones, and for those not wanting to drive. We’re proud to operate some of our local bus routes, particularly those serving hospitals and airports, 365 days of the year.
"Southern Vectis, which serves the community on the Isle of Wight, is running the most comprehensive Christmas Day bus service in the UK, and many of our other bus companies throughout the country are extending their Christmas Day and Boxing Day routes to make travel during the festive period one less thing to worry about for customers."
For more information about individual bus services please see an overview below or check the individual bus company websites for more details.
Christmas Eve
The majority of Go-Ahead bus companies are operating a normal service on Christmas Eve, with some running a Saturday timetable and some services finishing early, at around 8pm. For evening travel, please check your local bus company’s website for timetable information.
Christmas Day
Go South Coast, which provides services within Dorset, Hampshire Isle of Wight and Wiltshire will be running several special services on Christmas Day across nine individual bus operators.
Southern Vectis – which serves the Isle of Wight - is running the most comprehensive Christmas Day bus provision in the UK, with services running on routes 1, 3, 5, 7 & 9.
Morebus’ m1 and m2 routes have been extended to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital to help NHS employees and those visiting loved ones. Some Bluestar routes will also be in operation.
Oxford Bus Company will be running special airline services to Heathrow and Gatwick, keeping those travelling to and from the airports connected.
Boxing Day
A combination of special services and Sunday services will be running by all Go-Ahead bus companies, apart from Plymouth Citybus where there will be no service.
New Year’s Eve
On New Year’s Eve many Go-Ahead bus operators will be running Saturday services with an early finish around 8pm.
Brighton & Hove Buses and Go South Coast will be operating night buses throughout the evening.
New Year’s Day
Brighton & Hove Buses and Go North West will be running Sunday services on New Year’s Day.
Oxford Bus Company, Go East Anglia and Go South Coast will be running special services.
For those planning bus travel over the festive period, please refer to Christmas and New Year timetables on your local operator’s website.
ENDS