First Hampshire has launched its latest City Red buses as part of the £2.7m investment it is making this year to enhance its Southampton network.
The City Red fleet, comprising 10 new vehicles for Service 2, will run up to every seven minutes from Southampton city centre to Millbrook via Shirley.
All the buses have a striking two tone red livery to distinguish them from The Three service which operates from Lords Hill to Thornhill via Southampton city centre. They are all Wrightbus StreetLite midi micro-hybrids, powered by 4.5 litre Euro 5 engines. All come fitted with leather seats, free WiFi and LED lighting.
After the launch, Cllr Lee Whitbread, Southampton City Councillor for the Redbridge Ward, said: “I’m delighted First has invested in cleaner, modern and more energy efficient vehicles which will enhance the journey experience for bus users in the Millbrook area.”
Chris Chester, Business Manager of First Southampton, said: “The launch of the City Reds on Service 2 represents another big step in our current programme in improving our bus services for local communities across Southampton.
“Following the introduction of the red The Threes and the new City Reds on Service 11, we hope our customers in Millbrook, Redbridge and Shirley will enjoy their new City Red buses and they will encourage more people in this area to consider travelling by bus into the city centre.”
The City Red additions to the fleet follow a £1.3m investment last year in nine new Wrightbus StreetLite buses for its Service 1 from Adanac Park to Southampton city centre and the £100,000 refurbishment of 14 vehicles on the red The Three service.
