First Solent has unveiled a new fleet of buses, which is now operating on its two Solent Ranger X4 and X5 routes which connect Fareham, Gosport and Portsmouth with Southampton.
The 17 new buses in the Solent Ranger fleet represent an investment of £2.75m. They are all WrightBus StreetLite Max Micro-Hybrid vehicles which have a bespoke modern design to reflect the coastal route that they serve. The vehicles are fitted with Euro 6 engines.
Each bus comes equipped with leather seats, CCTV and WiFi. In addition to the dedicated space for wheelchair users, there is also extra space on board for pushchairs.
All of the buses are also fitted with next stop displays and next-stop audio announcements.
In addition, each bus is fitted with Real Time Information (RTI) technology, which means that customers can track when the service will arrive, either from a stop fitted with a real time screen, using their smartphone by downloading the First Bus app or from their home via First’s website using any device with an internet browser.
The X4 and X5 services provide half hourly journeys from Portsmouth and Gosport via Fareham to Southampton, calling at intermediary towns and villages such as Warsash, Park Gate, Locks Heath, Titchfield, Stubbington, Lee-on-the-Solent and Portchester.
The new buses bring First Solent’s total investment in its fleet to more than £15m over the past three years.
Dervla McKay, General Manager of First Solent, said: “Our £2.75m investment in 17 brand new buses in the Solent Rangers’ fleet is great news for our customers and underlines our continuing commitment to offer ever better bus services throughout south Hampshire.
“Our Services X4 and X5 provide a vital link between the major conurbations along the M27 corridor. They are especially popular with people living in the towns and villages along the route who use them to travel to work or to go shopping in the major towns and cities.
“These new vehicles are among the best and most eco-friendly in Hampshire, which emphasises our continuing support for our local authority partners to improve air quality for all.”
