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Christmas and New Year times
Please be aware of the following changes to our usual schedule over the festive period:
| Christmas Day 25 Dec | no service |
| Boxing Day 26 Dec | operates 9am - 6pm |
| New Year's Day 1 Jan | operates 9am - 6pm |
The park and ride car park will continue to open and close 30 minutes before and after these times.
St Agatha's Church bus stop closed until further notice
The St Agatha's Church bus stop will be closed for Park and Ride users until further notice - please use the Victoria Park stop for the city centre instead. The bus stop has been closed during the South East Hampshire Rapid Transit road works.
These works are part of the plans to improve bus travel and active travel (walking and cycling) across the city.
Park and Ride or stride to Alexandra Park fireworks (cancelled)
Update 1 November 2023: the Alexandra Park Fireworks are cancelled due to a change in wind direction, and the park and ride shuttle service will no longer be running to the event.
If you're heading to the Alexandra Park firework display on 1 November, did you know that a FREE park and stride, and park and ride service is available to help you avoid parking stress on the day?
Avoid getting stuck in the crowds by trying the park and ride service, parking at the Tipner site, just off the M275. From there, you can either walk the 8-minute journey to the event, guided by marshals along the way, or if you prefer not to walk, take the shuttle bus from the site, which will stop at the Mountbatten Centre.
Xelabus is running the shuttle service, and all the buses are green (don't get on the blue PR1 buses!). Buses are operating between 4.30 and 8.30 pm, and the park and ride car park will close at 9 pm.
The shuttle buses will run continuously with no set timetable.
The Park and Ride Portsmouth PR1 service into the city centre is running its usual hours on the 1 November with the last bus leaving the Hard Interchange at 7.15 pm, tickets will need to be purchased for this service as usual.
Ready, set, go to Park & Ride for the Great South Run
Portsmouth is set to welcome the south's leading running event, the Great South Run to the city on the 14 and 15 October. Portsmouth's residents and visitors are being encouraged to plan their journey and consider alternative ways to travel to make the most of the weekend and avoid disruption.
The popular run attracts 25,000 runners to Portsmouth, and the 10-mile route journeys from Clarence Esplanade through Old Portsmouth and the Historic Dockyard, returning to Southsea via Canoe Lake.
Those travelling to the event are encouraged to use the Park & Ride PR3 bus, which will be running a shuttle service to and from Clarence Pier before and after the run. During the run, on Saturday the bus will go to Pembroke Road and on Sunday it will go to the city centre. One ticket is needed per parked vehicle, allowing up to five passengers shuttle bus access all day for £4. Download our special timetable here.
Marshalls will be assisting in diverting traffic at the road closure points. If you are using the bus services over the weekend, please note there will be significant diversions which may affect your journey. Please visit First Solent or Stagecoach respectively for service updates.
Cllr Gerald Vernon Jackson, Cabinet Member for Traffic and Transportation, said:
“The Great South Run is a fabulous event, and always means a busy weekend in Portsmouth. We are looking forward to welcoming runners and spectators to our seaside city and are asking people to consider alternative ways of travelling including making the most of the Portsmouth Park and Ride, and walking, cycling or renting an e-scooter where possible.”
Anyone looking to travel in the city can take advantage of these top tips for an easier journey:
- Use a Voi rental e-scooter (over 18s only)
- Rent a Beryl electric or push bike (over 16s only)
- Catch a First Solent or Stagecoach bus
- Hovertravel is also an option, operating every 30 minutes throughout the day between Ryde and Southsea.
- Consider the Portsmouth Park and Ride, which is found at junction 1 on the M275
- Take a train where you can - be sure to check with operators for the latest timetables
For general information about visiting Portsmouth go to Visit Portsmouth. For more information about the Great South Run, visit the official website. For live Portsmouth travel updates, follow @portsmouthroads on X.
St Agatha's Church stop closed
Buses will not be stopping at St Agatha's Church for the next 8 weeks during the South East Hampshire Rapid Transit road works.
These works are part of the plans to improve bus travel and active travel (walking and cycling) across the city.
PR3 diversions for Victorious Festival 24-29 August
Due to Victorious Festival this weekend and the road closures in place, there are some diversions on the PR3 Southsea Park and Ride route between 24 - 29 August, which will terminate at Clarence Pier and will not stop at the D-Day Museum & Avenue de Caen.
Our Park and Ride is perfect for a day trip, but there is no overnight parking, so is not suitable for festivalgoers planning to stay at Victorious Festival all evening. The last PR1 departs from the Hard Interchange at 7.15pm Monday - Saturday, and at 6pm on Sunday. The last PR3 bus departs from Clarence pier at 7.32pm.
Summer Sorted - Park and Ride Has You Covered, Rain or Shine!
Southsea Park and Ride makes a welcome return this Saturday, 27 May* offering a route directly to the seafront!
Whether you drive in for work or leisure, park with ease at our terminal located off the M275 then either catch a bus to Southsea or alternate with the daily PR1 bus to the city centre or Hard Interchange. Hop on and off between the two routes and make the most of your ticket whether you’re shopping at Gunwharf Quays, visiting one of Portsmouth’s many museums, heading over to the Isle of Wight or relaxing on the beach!
This year, the service will be run by Xelabus. Commercial Manager Philip Blair said “We are delighted to be operating the Southsea Park and Ride service on behalf of Portsmouth City Council. Travelling by bus is very much a green alternative to driving in by car, helping to reduce the number of vehicles and emissions in the city.”
Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Cabinet Member for Transport, also shared his excitement, remarking, "We know that Southsea seafront is a popular destination for everyone in the summer, and the Portsmouth Park and Ride service is a great option for people to avoid parking stress and fees. I'm pleased to see this popular park and ride service back this year, and I look forward to seeing lots of people travel by bus to Portsmouth's wonderful seafront and attractions."
*Weekends and bank holidays only from Saturday 27 May then daily from 22 July throughout the school holidays until 3 September.
"This is not the bus (droids) you’re looking for”- Obi-Wan, Star Wars, “Yes, it is!” - Park and Ride
If you’re a Star Wars fan, you may recognise the above line from the movie, which Obi-Wan says to Stormtroopers when avoiding detection by the Empire.
Star Wars and many more fan favourites from film, TV and pop culture will be celebrated at Portsmouth Comic Con, returning to Portsmouth Guildhall on Saturday 3 – Sunday 4 June.
Special features for this year include a Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Celebration featuring the Doctors, Colin Baker and Peter Davison, with their companion Nicola Bryant (Peri), a Star Wars Zone and a Jurassic Experience complete with a cheeky T-Rex and stage show, plus the chance to handle real dinosaur bones and more.
Meet the creators behind your favourite comics, delve into the works behind films, and explore some of the biggest franchises around through an exciting range of panels, displays, workshops and exhibitions, and shop an incredible selection of merch. Join the colourful cosplay parades and enjoy a host of interactive fun including retro gaming, AR, VR and XR.
Make sure you park and ride it to Comic Con and arrive with ease, at just £4 per day or even less with a smartcard. Think of all the treats you could buy with the spare cash left over! There are two frequent bus routes to choose from, stopping at either Victoria Park or the Civic Offices, both close to Portsmouth Guildhall. Check first and last bus times here.
Park & ride to the seafront could be back this summer
Visitors wanting to visit the D-Day Story or Portsmouth’s gorgeous seafront could be enjoying a relaxing bus journey to the beach again this year if plans are approved to bring back the Southsea park and ride service for the summer.
After careful review of last year's summer bus services, Portsmouth City Council is proposing to run the Southsea Park and Ride service again this year on weekends between May to September and daily throughout the summer holidays.
Sightseers, and locals alike will be able to park stress free at the Portsmouth Park & Ride for just £4 for up to 5 people, and then catch a regular bus into Southsea for a visit to the beach or to Southsea's shops, all the while helping to improve noise and air pollution in Portsmouth.
Cllr Lynne Stagg, Cabinet Member for Traffic and Transportation, said: "The Portsmouth Park and Ride is really important to our community, and is valued by day-trippers, visitors and locals alike, who all want to avoid driving into the city centre and struggling to find a parking spot. We know the park and ride has huge benefits including reducing congestion and air pollution in the summer. I look forward to discussing the recommendations to extend park and ride services for summer 2023 at the decision meeting".
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