What area will the network cover?
South East Hampshire Rapid Transit will link Gosport, Fareham, Waterlooville, parts of Havant, and Ryde on the Isle of Wight with Portsmouth. Exact routes will be detailed here and the schemes detailed here, once funding has been confirmed.

What makes it ‘rapid’?
A number of elements make the system rapid. These include: improvements to the road network and upgrades to traffic signals to reduce delays, better bus stop layouts, more direct routes, and new ticket options to further reduce the need to use cash.

A rapid transit system has been operating in Gosport since 2012. You can read more about the Eclipse service here: https://www.firstgroup.com/portsmouth-fareham-gosport/routes-and-maps/eclipse

Who will be operating the scheme?
The scheme (South East Hampshire Rapid Transit) has been designed by Portsmouth City Council, Hampshire County Council and Isle of Wight Council working with existing local transport operators.

Where is the money coming from?
In September 2020 the programme was awarded £55.6m from the Transforming Cities Fund. This follows a previous grant of £4m, which we received in March 2019. The network will require major investment, some of which will be delivered outside of the Transforming Cities Fund four-year funding period. We will continue to seek funding opportunities to support and further our plans.

When will it be coming?
Work on schemes for this phase will start in 2020 and run until 2023.

Is it a permanent scheme or a trial?
South East Hampshire Rapid Transit is a permanent scheme which we expect to continue to develop in the future.

Will cycle routes be part of the scheme?
Yes and facilities will be provided at key stops. More detail will be provided once funding has been confirmed.

Which routes are being considered?
This phase of the scheme will link Gosport, Fareham, Waterlooville, parts of Havant, and Ryde on the Isle of Wight with Portsmouth. Exact routes/stops and destinations will be confirmed once schemes are completed.

How frequent will rapid transit services be?
Each service will run at least every 10 minutes during weekday daytime.

How do rapid services complement the existing bus services in the area?
They provide quicker trips for longer journeys and interchange with local bus services across the area.

Won’t the buses get stuck in the usual congestion?
We’re addressing congestion pinch points across the city region. Improved infrastructure will keep buses running on time, while new road layouts and better bus stop design will mean buses will no longer add to congestion in certain areas.

What are bus-priority routes?
These are routes designed to minimise delays to buses at stops, in traffic and at junctions.

Is there a way of requesting what routes I’d like to see?
The proposed routes are based on current use and local population but views will be invited before the new services are introduced.

We are currently recruiting local people to a community panel, which will help to design future public transport services for the South East Hampshire area. As a panel member, you will be invited to take part in occasional surveys, focus groups and other research activities where you can share your views, help make a difference and inform projects in your area. To join the community panel, please send your contact details to: sehrt@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

In providing your details, you are giving consent to be contacted by Portsmouth City Council or South East Hampshire Rapid Transit about the community panel. We will not use these details for any other purpose.

Is the Hayling Ferry/Gosport Ferry included?
Good connections will be provided to the Gosport Ferry. Hayling Ferry is not planned to be part of the Rapid Transit network at this stage.

Where will the timetable information be displayed?
Once the routes and services have been confirmed, timetables will be displayed at bus stops, online and in printed form as well as real time at stops and on your mobile phone.

What are the costs? 
Fares will be published once the routes and services have been confirmed.

Will a ticket be valid across all operators?
We are working with the operators to deliver this.

Will rapid transit services accept bus passes/other travel discount cards?
Yes, disabled and older person’s concessionary passes will be valid on rapid transit services within current eligibility times.

We are currently working with operators to build on existing ticket offers/discounts, payment and ticket options, and zones. More information will become available as the scheme develops.

Are National Express/Megabus/other bus services included?
No as this is a local scheme, but connections will be provided to long-distance services.

Will my existing First/Stagecoach/Rail/Ferry/Solent Go annual pass be valid on this scheme? Existing Solent Go and PlusBus tickets will include rapid transit routes within their zones. Operator specific tickets will be valid according to who provides the particular rapid transit service.  We are looking to introduce more multi-operator tickets. More details to follow.

Will rapid transit services be covered by a ‘PlusBus’ ticket when you buy a train ticket?
Yes.

Will the buses provide tap on?
Yes.

How/where do I buy a ticket?
You will be able to use your bankcard to tap on the bus and tap off and only pay for the travel you use. Existing ticket sales outlets will continue.

What type of buses will be used?
These will be developed from the buses used on the Eclipse service. All vehicles will be low-emission vehicles, and will meet the latest Euro 6 clean diesel emission standard with smart engine technology, which switches off the engine when the vehicle is stationary and uses energy from braking to charge on-board systems. Euro 6 vehicles are designed to significantly reduce harmful emissions such as nitrogen dioxide, diesel particulates, carbon monoxides and hydrocarbons.

Will there be improved on board facilities? 
Rapid transit vehicles will offer the latest facilities for wheelchair users and baby buggies. There will be next stop announcements and displays on the buses.

Will there be Wi-Fi?
Yes, on rapid transit vehicles and at key bus stops.

Will the buses be equipped with charging points for mobile phones and laptops?
Rapid transit buses and key stops will offer USB charging. Induction (or wireless) charging will be considered.

Will dogs be permitted to travel on the buses too?
Existing arrangements will continue.

Can I take my bike on a rapid transit bus?
No, however there will be bicycle storage at key stops.

Will bus shelters be equipped with live information displays?
All stops will offer real time to your mobile phone, key stops will have real time information displays.