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Summer starts early for weekend and bank holiday visitors to Southsea
Get ready for an exciting summer in Southsea! The PR3 weekend service to Southsea starts earlier this year, running from Saturday 7 June to Sunday 31 August. We're boosting the start of the summer season to support visitors heading to UK Pride on 7 June, making it easy to join the vibrant free daytime activities on Southsea Common and the community-led parade.
With the earlier start, you'll have more time to enjoy everything Southsea has to offer! Hop on the PR3 to explore the city's attractions, feel the sand between your toes, shop 'til you drop, or dive into the lively summer events on Southsea Common.
Our Park & Ride fares are fantastic value at just £4 for a day ticket for up to five people, and frequent visitors can take advantage of our flexible ticket options. Park & Ride PR1 passengers visiting Southsea on weekdays can still reach Clarence Pier with a £6 Hoverbus ticket. Simply change to the H1 Hoverbus at City Centre or The Hard.
Car sharing not only boosts your ticket value but also supports Portsmouth's vision of a greener, healthier city. Buying your tickets is convenient and simple with the First Bus app or directly from the driver, with hop-on, hop-off access on PR1 and PR3 routes all day.
This year we've adjusted the route to avoid the road closure along Clarence Esplanade during the Southsea Coastal Scheme improvements. You'll still reach Clarence Pier, Avenue De Caen stops, and a stop near Southsea Pyramids by travelling along Clarence Parade. During certain summer events, road closures will be in place, and Clarence Pier will be the final stop.
Get ready for an epic adventure at Portsmouth Comic Con!
Portsmouth Comic Con is coming to Portsmouth Guildhall on May 3 and 4.
Comic Con is a great day out for all the family, where visitors can meet some of the greatest writers and illustrators in the industry, alongside stars of the screen and cosplay.
The International Festival of Comics brings you the best in comics, film, TV and pop culture entertainment – and it's all within easy reach of our city centre stop near Victoria Park.
Buses run every 15 minutes and take just 7 minutes to the city centre stop. A short, pleasant stroll through the park connects visitors to a world of panels, displays, exhibitions, gaming, VR, Steampunk and an incredible range of merch and collectables.
Let us transport you to the incredible world of Comic Con. Park & Ride fares are just £4 for up to 5 people – great value when you car share!
Buy your tickets through the First Bus app or buy from the bus driver.
Learn more about Portsmouth Comic Con and book your tickets.
Easier Ways to Purchase Flexible Park & Ride Tickets
Customers who travel regularly with Park & Ride now have an easier way to purchase tickets. This new payment method saves time and ensures customers get the best value, with a range of available options.
Starting from 1 April, all ticket purchases will be made through the First Bus app, making it easier for customers to manage payments. You can also buy day tickets directly from the bus driver.
With the First Bus app, you can explore great value options every time you use Park & Ride. You can continue using your smartcard until your existing credit runs out; however, please note that online payments will no longer be available from 1 April. After that, switch to the app for FlexiPass, weekly, or annual ticket purchases, and simply dispose of your old card.
We recommend doing this as early as possible to make purchasing your next ticket a seamless experience.
How to Get Started
- Download the First Bus app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Look for the app icon – a pink circle with an "f" on a dark blue background.
- Register with the app:
- Open the app and complete the registration.
- Select Portsmouth, Fareham & Gosport as your region.
How to Buy a Ticket
- Select the 'Tickets' button at the bottom of the screen.
- Select the 'Buy' button near the top.
- Scroll to the end of the list and select 'Park & Ride'.
- Choose a ticket that suits your needs. On the app, smartcards are now referred to as 1 Week, 4 Week, and 1 Year Passes.
Benefits of Switching
- Convenience: Purchase and manage your tickets anytime, anywhere.
- FlexiPass options: Discover a range of ticket options, including FlexiPasses, which can offer great value based on your travel needs.
- For instance, the FlexiPass20 provides 20 days of travel for just £50, making it only £2.50 per journey. This is more affordable than city parking and can be used anytime within 12 months of purchase.
Need Help?
Email us at citytravel@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. If you would like a call back from one of our friendly team members, simply email us your number.
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It's time for the big reveal! A fresh new look for Park and Ride!
You may have noticed that we've been making improvements at Portsmouth Park and Ride with some eye-catching blue and pink signs popping up over recent weeks. The new information signs, with their vibrant design, make it easier to navigate how to use the service. We're delighted to introduce our striking new double-decker buses that are certain to become a recognisable sight around the city.
We've been working closely with First Bus Solent to improve our service to you. Now you can easily buy from our full range of tickets through the First Bus app, including a top-up feature for flexipass and smartcard users. Plus, it's easier than ever to buy a day ticket when you buy directly from the bus driver by cash, card, or contactless payment. These enhancements make it easier for frequent travellers to access our flexible fares, and for day visitors to purchase tickets, making park and ride more accessible to everyone.
If you haven't already, we hope you'll be able to try our refreshed park and ride service to enjoy convenient and sustainable journeys into Portsmouth. By using the park and ride, you'll help contribute to cleaner, safer air for everyone who lives, works, and visits the city.
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