Public transport
Southampton has an excellent range of public transport options, so you can travel around the city while leaving the car at home. This can save you time and money, improve your wellbeing, and reduce your carbon footprint all at the same time.
Travel resources
- My Journey is Southampton's one stop destination for information and advice on buses, trains, ferries, cycling, walking and more. You can use it to plan a journey, find the latest news about public transport in Southampton, and discover all the latest events and initiatives being offered in your area.
- Solent Go - A smart travel card you top up online, useable all over south Hampshire, including buses and ferries
- Our bus operators – You can also visit the websites of Bluestar, First Solent, Salisbury Reds, Unilink, or Xelabus directly for specific enquiries
- Connecting Southampton - Keep up to date on all the major transport projects in Southampton and discover the future of transport in the city
- Find out more about Cycling and Rights of Way in Southampton
- Read the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP)
You can also use our Public Transport map to view all bus, rail and ferry services operating in Southampton, including those serving destinations outside the city.
Senior and disabled person's concessions
Senior citizens and disabled persons can use our SmartCities travel card for free bus travel when boarding between 9.30am and 11pm Monday to Friday, and at any time on weekends and bank holidays.
Bus Service Grants
Local Authority Bus Subsidy Ring-Fenced (Revenue) Grant - 2021 to 2023
The Local Authority Bus Subsidy Ring-Fenced (Revenue) Grant is paid by the Department for Transport to local authorities in place of the Bus Services Operators Grant previously paid to bus operators for running services under tender to local authorities.
The grant may only be used for the purposes of supporting bus services (including community transport services run under a section 19 permit), or for the provision of infrastructure supporting such services in our, or a neighbouring local transport authority's area.
| Funding period | Grant Awarded | Grant Used |
|---|---|---|
| 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022 | £75,112 | £14,583.30 of grant utilised to support Xela Bus services X12 and Bitterne Hoppa. Remaining £60,528.70 is carried forward to 2022-23 financial year to be used for same purpose. |
| 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 | £75,112 | Grant utilised to support Bus services in Shirley, Lordshill (X11 and X12) and Bitterne (Bitterne Hoppas). |
| 1 April 2023 to 30 June 2023 | £79,759.87 | The grant was used to support bus services in Shirley and Lordshill (X11 and X12) and Bitterne (Bitterne Hoppas). |
Dial-a-Ride
Dial-a-Ride is available to anyone who lives in Southampton who cannot use mainstream public transport due to a disability. The service is provided by SCA Transport on behalf of Southampton City Council. For more information, visit My Journey's Dial-a-Ride page.
