Bus operators offer the chance for groups to travel for less this summer

Getting out-and-about will be easier than ever for local people this summer - thanks to the return of the popular ‘5 for £5’ group fare offer

Southampton City Council is once again teaming up with Bluestar, Unilink, and First Solent to make group bus travel more affordable when it is needed most.

Beginning on Friday 1 August and ending on Sunday 31 August, the deal means up to five people, paying on the bus or using the operator’s app, can buy a group bus ticket for £5 to use all day - anywhere across the Southampton zone. Each ticket is valid on the bus services provided by the operator it was purchased from.

With lots of events from sporting fixtures to music, to our Holiday Activity and Food programme (HAF), and our Family Hub summer events, '5 for £5' is just the ticket for getting around the city on a family day out.

Nikki Honer, Bluestar head of communications, said: “In partnership with Southampton City Council, we are pleased to be bringing back this popular offer for the whole of August - making travelling across the city more affordable for people during the school holidays.

“It gives local people added incentive to leave their cars at home and travel with friends or family by bus to enjoy the city’s museums, parks, shops and restaurants during the summer. This will help ease congestion, eliminate the need to seek out elusive parking spaces and, of course, it will benefit people’s pockets too.

“There is so much to do and enjoy in Southampton throughout the summer, we’re looking forward to welcoming more people than ever on board.”

Councillor Christie Lambert, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “I am delighted that the partnership between Bluestar, Unilink, First Bus and the council is once again bringing back the 5 for £5 group fare offer this August. The support that it offers to families and groups in travelling sustainably and affordably around the city, right when they need it, is reflected in its huge popularity. Last summer, on average, over 4,300 ‘5 for £5’ tickets were sold every week during the promotion, and I hope that we can top that figure this year.”

The '5 for £5' offer, together with the £1 evening fare offer, national fare cap, fleet investments by Bluestar and First Solent and new bus priority infrastructure, all highlight the ambitious steps that the council and its partners are taking to make buses a more attractive choice for people, built on reliability, sustainability and value for money.