During the summer seasons of 2021 and 2022 the Hampshire seaside town of Southsea near Portsmouth had the pleasure of two open-top bus services running along the esplanade giving the general public and bus enthusiasts an enjoyable ride taking in the sea air and the interesting surroundings.  The independent transport videos cameras were on hand to record both years as well as the contemporary Portsmouth bus scene featuring Firstbus and Stagecoach for you to enjoy.
   
In the 2021 season Aldermaston Coach Lines operated the route that ran from Clarence Pier to Eastney using a former Transdev – London United, Transbus Trident TA314 (SN03 DZM), that has a converted to open-top Alexander ALX400 body in a smart all-over red livery.  For the 2022 season First Hampshire & Dorset, with their local ‘Solent’ brand operated the route using a former Go Ahead London - London General, Volvo B9TL WVL371, now 36100 (LX60 DXB), with a converted to open-top Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 body, also in an all-over red livery and branded ‘Southsea Coaster’ but operating a slightly different route which ran from The Hard in Portsmouth to South Parade Pier in Southsea.  During the 2021 season we filmed on board the bus and at various locations including Clarence Pier, South Parade Pier and at the Portsmouth Park & Ride site at Tipner. 
   
The 2022 filming begins at the then recently opened The Hard Interchange that brings the buses, trains and Gosport Ferry all together for easy travel connections.  We film on board 36100 at different times during the day and at South Parade Pier, Clarence Pier, The Hard Interchange and Queen Street, Portsmouth before riding to the Portsmouth Park & Ride site at Tipner on board First Hampshire & Dorset 33735, (SN12 ANF) an Alexander Dennis ADL Enviro400 from The Hard Interchange. 
   
We hope that you enjoy this interesting programme that records two events that were both ‘one-off’ occasions.  It is also good to see the 2021 and 2022 bus scene with Stagecoach buses in action as well as the First buses starting to appear in the new ‘Solent’ two-tone blue and yellow livery.  Also to note is that we see all diesel buses operating with Firstbus, as most of these buses will be disappearing during 2024 in favour of the new battery-electric bus fleet that will be taking over the routes in the Solent region.