Bus stop improvements

The Portsmouth Bus Service Improvement Plan aims to make bus travel, faster, more reliable and more accessible for passengers, while reducing traffic and congestion and improving air quality in the city.

Bus stop consultation 2024

In 2024, we undertook a bus stop accessibility survey, which asked residents what improvements they would like to see at bus stops in the city to make them more accessible for everyone. We asked what residents think about the current bus stops in Portsmouth and what improvements or changes they would like to see. Bus drivers were also asked to contribute and share their thoughts on where improvements could be made.

Three respondents from the online survey, with accessibility issues and disabilities, were then selected to take part in accompanied bus journeys to bring to life the challenges encountered first hand as they each made one of their typical bus journeys in Portsmouth, alongside a researcher. You can read the findings of this consultation on the Your City, Your Say website.

Based on the feedback, and other road traffic data, a proposal was created to make improvements at bus stops across the city. Proposals at these stops included making changes to help speed up bus journey times, and help buses to get out of stops easily, as well as changes to pathways and stops to make bus stops easier for people to get on and off with a pram or in a wheelchair and more.

Completed bus stop improvements

Charles Dickens Birthplace bus stop on Mile End Road

Feedback from our bus stop survey indicated that it was difficult for people with mobility challenges or those with pushchairs and prams to get on and off the bus because there wasn’t enough space for buses to use their wheelchair ramps.

Also, the pavement in this area was uneven and it was difficult for bus drivers to align the doors to the raised kerb.

To improve accessibility, we added a guardrail to the northern side of the pavement and extended the bus layby into the grass verge.

Hayling Avenue Northbound bus stop on Milton Road

Feedback from our bus stop survey informed us that buses were often delayed here trying to re-join traffic and had difficulty lining up with the raised kerb.

To reduce delays, we widened the pavement by 1.3 metres into the bus stop markings on the road.

This helps to make buses more accessible for everyone and improve their reliability.

Milton Road bus stop eastbound on Locksway Road

Feedback from our bus stop survey indicated that it was difficult for people with mobility challenges or those with pushchairs and prams to get on and off the bus because the raised kerb was too short for bus drivers to align with.

To improve accessibility, we extended the length of the raised kerb towards Cromarty Avenue.

St Luke’s Church (stop N) bus stop on Isambard Brunel Road

Feedback from our bus stop survey indicated that it was difficult for people with mobility challenges or those with pushchairs and prams to get on and off the bus because the raised kerb is too close to the bus shelter.

To improve accessibility, we extended the raised kerb 5 meters towards the mini roundabout.

This change also helps to provide passengers with a more reliable bus service by making it easier for bus drivers to align with the raised kerb and for passengers to board and alight.

Stride Avenue Northbound bus stop on Eastern Road

To improve accessibility, we installed a dropped kerb crossing across the service road with a tactile footway adjacent to the shelter.

Bollards and road markings have also been installed to prevent parking that would otherwise obstruct access to the new crossing to the bus stop.

Hayling Avenue Northbound bus stop on Eastern Road

To improve accessibility, we installed a dropped kerb crossing across the service road with a tactile footway adjacent to the shelter.

Bollards and road markings have also been installed to prevent parking that would otherwise obstruct access to the new crossing to the bus stop.

Copnor Bridge bus stop on New Road

The previous footway was too narrow for wheelchair users or people with pushchairs or prams to access the shelters.

To improve accessibility for all pedestrians using the footpath and accessing the bus shelter the footway has been extended at the junction with Copnor Road.
A real time passenger information flag post has also been added to keep passengers informed about their journeys. There is also a push button information panel that will read out the information that is being displayed.

Kings Theatre bus stop on Albert Road (outside the Kings Theatre )

We have found buses can be delayed here trying to leave the bus stop.

To reduce delays, have to widened the pavement by 1.5 metres into the bus stop markings on the road.

This will help give passengers a more reliable bus service by making it easier for bus drivers to depart from the bus stop on time, especially at peak times.

Schooner Way

Work is now underway here. The footway will be extended east of the bus stop and a pedestrian crossing will be installed with tactile dropped kerbs.
This will help to improve accessibility for all passengers using the bus stop.

In development

Hayling Avenue Southbound bus stop on Baffins Road

We have found buses can be delayed here trying to leave the bus stop.

To reduce delays, we will widen the pavement by 3.9 metres into the bus stop markings on the road.

This will help give passengers a more reliable bus service by making it easier for bus drivers to pull in and then depart from the bus stop on time, especially at peak times.

The shelter will be relocated to the new pavement build out.

Angerstein Road bus stop on Stamshaw Road 

We have found delays can occur when buses are leaving the bus stop. To reduce these delays, we will widen the pavement by 1.9 metres into the bus stop markings on the road.

This change will help provide passengers with a more reliable bus service by making it easier for bus drivers to depart on time, especially during busy periods.

It will also improve accessibility, as bus drivers can align the doors with the raised kerb more easily.

Knox Road bus stop on Twyford Avenue 

We have found that there can be delays due to the bus trying to line up with the raised kerb.

To reduce delays, we will widen the pavement by 1.4 metres into the bus stop markings on the road.

Also, this will help to improve accessibility by creating more space to get on and off the bus for people with mobility challenges or those with pushchairs and prams.

Godwit Road

The footway will be extended east and west of the bus stop and two pedestrian crossings will be installed with tactile dropped kerbs.
This will help to improve accessibility for all passengers using the bus stop.

Sanderling Road

The footway south of the bus stop will be extended to utilise the existing crossing to the south.
This will help to improve accessibility for all passengers using the bus stop.