Portsmouth/Southsea: Aug 2018

Friday 3 August 2018 (0806) – The bus station of The Hard Interchange in Portsmouth was opened in May 2017 replacing old bus bays and shelters. Close by is Portsmouth Harbour railway station together with the landing stages for the cross harbour ferry service to Gosport and the ‘Fastcat’ catamaran service to Ryde on the Isle of Wight. Dominating the background is the Spinnaker Tower on the waterfront. This observation tower standing 560 feet (170 metres) high was opened in 2005 and, to reflect Portsmouth’s maritime history, is designed to represent a ship’s sail. The main bus operators in Portsmouth are First Hampshire & Dorset and Stagecoach South. The four buses in this view are Stagecoach 27653 (GX10 KZF), an Alexander Dennis Enviro300 new in July 2010 which carries branding for the Coastliner service 700; First 63055 (SK63 KJU) and 63051 (SK63 KJF) both Wrightbus Streetlites new in October 2013 in ‘The Star Bus’ livery a feature of each bus has a battleship theme (63055 HMS Dauntless and 63051 HMS Atherstone); and Stagecoach 27869 (GX13 AOO), an Alexander Dennis Enviro300 new in August 2013 in their corporate livery with branding for Portsmouth services 20/21.

Friday 3 August 2018 (0727) – The bus station of The Hard Interchange in Portsmouth was opened in May 2017 replacing old bus bays and shelters. Close by is Portsmouth Harbour railway station together with the landing stages for the cross harbour ferry service to Gosport and the ‘Fastcat’ catamaran service to Ryde on the Isle of Wight. The masts and rigging of HMS Warrior stand beyond. Warrior was Britain’s first iron hulled armoured battleship launched in 1860 and was the pride of Queen Victoria’s naval fleet. The main bus operators in Portsmouth are First Hampshire & Dorset and Stagecoach South. In this view are First 65015 (YN54 NZM), a Scania OmniCity on service 3; Stagecoach 15990 (YN64 XSU), an Alexander Dennis Enviro400 bodied Scania N230UD with branding for the Coastliner service 700; and Stagecoach 27868 (GX13 AON), an Alexander Dennis Enviro in corporate livery with a branding for services 20/21.

Friday 3 August 2018 (0725) – The bus station of The Hard Interchange in Portsmouth was opened in May 2017 replacing old bus bays and shelters. Close by is Portsmouth Harbour railway station together with the landing stages for the cross harbour ferry service to Gosport and the ‘Fastcat’ catamaran service to Ryde on the Isle of Wight. The masts and rigging of HMS Warrior stand beyond. Warrior was Britain’s first iron hulled armoured battleship launched in 1860 and was the pride of Queen Victoria’s naval fleet. The main bus operators around Portsmouth are First Hampshire & Dorset and Stagecoach South. In this view are five vehicles of First and two of Stagecoach. The National Express liveried coach is East Yorkshire Motor Services 80 (YY63 OEL), a Caetano Levante bodied Volvo B9R new in October 2013. It was working the 0730 service 031 to London (Victoria) where it was due at 1120. After a break there it would head north on a service back to its native area.

Thursday 2 August 2018 (1513) – Go South Coast 7823 (BV66 WNX), a Caetano Levante bodied Volvo B11RT new in September 2016, seen arriving at The Hard Interchange in Portsmouth when working National Express service 206 from Gatwick Airport to Poole.

Thursday 2 August 2018 (1541) – Go South Coast 7828 (BV66 WOC), a Caetano Levante bodied Volvo B11RT new in September 2016, seen passing the Historic Naval Dockyard in Portsmouth just after leaving The Hard Interchange. It was working the 1300 National Express service 206 from Poole to Gatwick Airport. The entrance on the left is that to the 'Mary Rose' exhibition. The 'Mary Rose' was Henry VIII's frontline warship which sank in the Solent in July 1545. Raised in 1982 she is the centrepiece of an incredible display of hundreds of artefacts. A gentleman playing the part of the King is just visible on the edge of the photograph.

Thursday 2 August 2018 (1502) – Stagecoach South 27866 (GX13 AOL), an Alexander Dennis Enviro300 new in August 2013, seen arriving at The Hard, Portsmouth. It carries branding for the Portsmouth-Havant services 20/21.

Thursday 2 August 2018 (1540) – First Hampshire and Dorset 37163 (HY07 FSZ), a Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TL new in March 2007, seen arriving at The Hard, Portsmouth.

Friday 3 August 2018 (0729) – Stagecoach South 15990 (YN64 XSU), an Alexander Dennis Enviro400 bodied Scania N230UD new in September 2014, seen leaving The Hard Interchange, Portsmouth. It carries branding for the Coastliner service 700 and was working the 0727 service to Bognor Regis (0923) and Flansham Park (0935).

Friday 3 August 2018 (0729) – Stagecoach South 15990 (YN64 XSU), an Alexander Dennis Enviro400 bodied Scania N230UD new in September 2014, seen leaving The Hard Interchange, Portsmouth. It carries branding for the Coastliner service 700 and was working the 0727 service to Bognor Regis (0923) and Flansham Park (0935). Dominating the background is the Spinnaker Tower on the waterfront. This observation tower standing 560 feet (170 metres) high was opened in 2005 and, to reflect Portsmouth’s maritime history, is designed to represent a ship’s sail.

Friday 3 August 2018 (0730) – East Yorkshire Motor Services 80 (YY63 OEL) seen on The Hard, Portsmouth just after leaving the Interchange as it set forth for London (Victoria) when working the 0730 National Express service 031. After a break there it would head north on a service back to its native area. It is a Caetano Levante bodied Volvo B9R new in October 2013. The gates of the Historic Naval Dockyard stand ahead of the coach.

Thursday 2 August 2018 (1546) – Queen Street, Portsmouth close to the Historic Naval Dockyard hence the old anchors and chains adorning the pavement plus the masts and rigging of HMS Warrior just visible beyond the bus stop sign. Pewsey Vale Coaches of Pewsey, Wiltshire ESK 931 is a Bova Futura dating from March 2007 first registered YJ07 DVT.

Friday 3 August 2018 (0819) – Stagecoach South 26162 (SN67 WWG), an Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC new in October 2017, seen in Commercial Road, Portsmouth. It carries branding for the Leigh Park/Havant-Portsmouth-Southsea service 23. This was the last of the buses I rode on during my pre-breakfast bus outing using a Stagecoach ‘Day Rider’ priced at £4.20. My initial ride was on 26150 (SN57 WVU) (on service 23 from Southsea to The Hard) followed by 27863 (GX13 AOH) (on the 0735 service 20 from The Hard to Commercial Road). I then had two rides on 27653 (0753 from Commercial Road to The Hard and the 0812 return) travelling back from Commerial Road to Southsea on 26162 (0820 service 23).

Thursday 2 August 2018 (1544) – Queen Street, Portsmouth close to the Historic Naval Dockyard. First 63051 (SK63 KJF) wears ‘The Star Bus’ livery, a branding applied to a batch of 26 Wrightbus Streetlites (63042-63067) new in October 2013 used on Portsmouth area services 7/7c and 8. Each bus carries the name of a Portsmouth based Royal Navy vessel - this bus carries the name of HMS Atherstone. Standing on the left is Pewsey Vale Coaches of Pewsey, Wiltshire ESK 931, a Bova Futura dating from March 2007 registered YJ07 DVT. I took this shot to include the unusual high rise apartment block. Admiralty Tower was built in 2008 and stands 223 feet (69 metres) high. There is a chap on or about the tenth floor admiring the view of the waterfront!

Thursday 2 August 2018 (1543) – Queen Street, Portsmouth close to the Historic Naval Dockyard: Pewsey Vale Coaches of Pewsey, Wiltshire ESK 931, a Bova Futura dating from March 2007 registered YJ07 DVT and First 63109 (SM13 NCU), a Wright Streetlite DF new in August 2013 to First Manchester. A Stagecoach vehicle is also visible in the distant background. First and Stagecoach provide most (if not all) of the public bus services in the Portsmouth area.

Thursday 2 August 2018 (1539) – Stagecoach South 26161 (SN67 WWF), an Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC new in October 2017, seen on the roadway outside The Hard Interchange. It carries branding for the Leigh Park/Havant-Portsmouth-Southsea service 23.

Friday 3 August 2018 (0727) – First Hampshire and Dorset 33897 (SN14 TRX), an Alexander Dennis Enviro400 new in March 2004, seen leaving The Hard Interchange when operating the Portsmouth Park and Ride service. The masts and rigging of HMS Warrior form the background. Warrior was Britain’s first iron hulled armoured battleship launched in 1860 and was the pride of Queen Victoria’s naval fleet.

Thursday 2 August 2018 (1504) – First Hampshire and Dorset 37161 (HY07 FTA), a Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TL new in March 2007, seen leaving The Hard when operating the Portsmouth Park and Ride service.

Friday 3 August 2018 (0758) – The bus station of The Hard Interchange in Portsmouth was opened in May 2017 replacing old bus bays and shelters. Close by is Portsmouth Harbour railway station together with the landing stages for the cross harbour ferry service to Gosport and the ‘Fastcat’ catamaran service to Ryde on the Isle of Wight. The masts and rigging of HMS Warrior stand beyond. Warrior was Britain’s first iron hulled armoured battleship launched in 1860 and was the pride of Queen Victoria’s naval fleet. The main bus operators in Portsmouth are First and Stagecoach South. In this view are First 63300 (SN63 OLB), Stagecoach 27653 (GX10KZF), Stagecoach 27873 (GX13 AOT), First 63055 (SK63 KJU), First 63190 (SN14 EBC) and Stagecoach 27861 (GX13 ANU).