Stagecoach: Major changes to Basingstoke bus timetable

New updates will see changes made across services 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 20 and have come as part of a larger effort to tailor the network more closely to the ways in which people now travel.

Service 6, a long-standing route, will now be split into two, creating routes 6 and 9.

This will alter travelling for Popley and Winklebury residents, and also result in an increased frequency in East Popley.

A Stagecoch bus (Image: Stagecoach)

The updated timetable will see service 6 link the Town Centre and East Popley every 12 minutes from Monday to Saturday.

This is an improvement from its current 15-minute interval.

Additional early and late journeys will also now be available throughout the week, though the current 20-minute service will remain in practice for Sundays and public holidays.

Under the new arrangement, Service 6 will continue to link the Town Centre and East Popley using existing routes.

Earlier and later journeys will also be available throughout the week, while Sundays and public holidays will still see a bus every 20 minutes.

The newly established Service 9 will cover the Town Centre–Winklebury route.

It will run every 20 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays and serve every 30 minutes on Sundays and public holidays.

The revised timetable is expected to provide a steadier, more punctual service for residents in Winklebury.

Elsewhere, other services, such as 5, 7, 8, 11, and 20, will also see changes.

Services 5 and 11 will have their schedules changed, with Service 5, which serves West Popley, updated to run every 20 minutes every Monday to Saturday.

Sunday timetables will continue to have buses every 30 minutes.

Peak-time changes will be made to Service 7, which runs between Chineham and the Town Centre, to try and improve journey times.

Buses towards Chineham will begin at the railway station before stopping at the bus station.

The changes will also affect Service 8, which links the Town Centre with Kempshott Park and Hatch Warren.

Peak times and minor timing differences throughout the week will be changed.

Buses heading towards Kempshott will start at the Bus Station.

On Sundays, the service won't go to the station in this direction, but passengers can stay on the bus to be dropped off on the return trip.

Service 11 will only see minor changes to its Sunday timetable, with regular weekday services.

Service 20, which serves Vyne Park, is set to have alterations in its timetable.

These will include introducing earlier and later journeys, as well as adjusting peak-times.

As offices in Chineham Park are closed on Saturdays, the frequency of the service will move from every 20 minutes to every 30 minutes.

Sunday services remain half-hourly with updated timings.

Stagecoach South will be in Basingstoke Bus Station on January 8 and 29, to inform people about the new changes.

Some savings can be made via the company’s app.

While through or transfer tickets will not be available, the Basingstoke DayRider is an option at £5.50.

This works out cheaper than two capped single fares.