Red Rocket Flies for the Final Time this February

Back in September 2006, we conceived an idea to boost the disappointing volumes of passengers travelling on buses in Eastleigh. We created an exciting and vivid brand - Red Rocket - in the hope of capturing the imagination of local residents and encouraging them to use the bus. We increased frequencies and provided modern buses, complete with access for less-able customers. Since this time, we have achieved excellent trends in our operational performance. Reliability continues to improve, cancellations are at their lowest and passenger complaints have reduced dramatically.

Whilst we have experienced a rise in passenger levels in other areas of our operation, this has not materialised on Red Rocket. For example, Southampton-based services, run under our Bluestar brand, grow in line with the popularity of this location as a regional shopping, leisure and business centre.

Sadly, due to fare-paying passenger numbers failing to meet our expectations, we will be withdrawing three of our Red Rocket services with effect from Sunday 24th February, and the rest will become re-branded under our established Bluestar and Baby Bluestar identities. The re-branding is necessary to address confusion amongst our customers, not least relating to the availability of our value day and season tickets.

We do not like walking away from services that our customers have come to rely on and our staff have worked hard to establish. However, there comes a time when we cannot afford to continue pursuing the operation of services that do not cover the expenditure of paying staff and the ever-increasing costs of fuel and insurance.

Furthermore, the revenue we are reimbursed by local authorities when we carry a local customers over the age of 60, which represents a much larger part of the customer base around Eastleigh compared to other parts of our operation, is well below what we feel is appropriate. This can translate to only 40% to that of a fare-paying passenger. We fully appreciate that these are the customers that rely on bus services, but until our government addresses this problem, many bus routes around the UK are likely to disappear. Imagine if your local shop only received a low proportion of the income it would normally gain from you buying any goods – how could it ever continue in business?

Instead, we think it is more sensible and productive to concentrate on running those buses that we know can make a difference in getting people out of their cars and improving our local environment. We are passionate of the benefits of public transport, particularly local bus services, and are proud of the positive results and continually-increasing passenger numbers that has been achieved on our Bluestar network.

By no means, are we walking away from Eastleigh and its communities. Our depot and operational base remains a major employer in the area and we are working hard to ensure as many places as possible still retain a service.

• All college services to/from Barton Peveril College will continue.
• Red Rocket A will no longer run. Further news on the future of this service will be announced by Hampshire County Council and Eastleigh Borough Council.
• Red Rocket B will no longer run, but most of the residents of Boyatt Wood still receive a service using E1/E2/E3.
• Red Rocket C becomes Baby Bluestar C1 and will run between Eastleigh, Velmore, Chandler’s Ford and Fryern Hill. We are discussing the future of the section of route between Fryern Hill and Hiltingbury with the local authorities, and are hopeful a direct route will continue.
• Red Rocket D will no longer run commercially. We are in discussions with the local authorities to see if there is potential of any replacement.
• Red Rocket E1, E2, E3 will continue under the Baby Bluestar brand. Times and routes remain largely unchanged.
• Red Rocket F will be run under the Baby Bluestar brand. Times and routes remain largely unchanged.
• Bluestar 2 continues to link Fair Oak, Bishopstoke, Eastleigh, North Stoneham and Southampton every 15 minutes, Monday to Saturday, as well as a full evening and Sunday service and journeys between midnight and 3.30 am on Friday and Saturday nights.
• The prices of our Freedom season ticket range for the Eastleigh area have been frozen or reduced, whilst the Eastleigh Dayrider price has been cut to £3.50.

As the future of a number of these services are still being actively discussed with our colleagues at the local authorities, we are unable to supply you with finalised information at this time, but trust that our openness and forewarning is appreciated. This website will be updated as soon as any news is available.