Portsmouth residents are being encouraged to support small and independent businesses this Christmas season by taking part in Small Business Saturday, with the added bonus of free bus travel throughout the city.
On Saturday, 6 December 2025, Portsmouth City Council, in partnership with First Solent and Stagecoach South, is offering free bus travel across all routes in Portsmouth to celebrate the businesses that make our city unique and vibrant.
The day will feature a Small Business Saturday Taster Market on Commercial Road, a pop-up market at Playland hosted by Portsmouth Creates, both will feature a variety of local makers, creators, and independent retailers who will showcase their products. This will run alongside the city’s annual Christmas Market, and Port Solent’s Christmas market creating a festive atmosphere and a perfect opportunity to shop locally for holiday gifts.
Pompey Link, the council’s on-demand shared minibus service connecting Paulsgrove and Port Solent, will also be free to use on Saturday 6 December, as well as an additional day on Sunday 7 December. This flexible service makes it even easier for residents in the north of the city to join in the celebrations and shop local. Simply book your ride via the Book a Journey app or by phone, and enjoy a convenient, sustainable way to travel without the stress of parking.
The free bus travel is part of the Portsmouth Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), a £52 million initiative that is transforming the city’s public transport network. This scheme, which runs until 2026, aims to make bus travel more accessible, efficient, and environmentally friendly, whilst reducing traffic congestion and boosting air quality for everyone.
Plan your journey by visiting the First Bus and Stagecoach websites to find bus routes and timetables.
You can get on any bus that starts within the Portsmouth boundary. This includes bus routes, 1, 2, 3, X4, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 21, 22, 23, 25, 20, 700 and H1, and the Pompey Link on demand bus service.
The Portsmouth Park and Ride is not included in the scheme.
Hail your bus as you normally would, and let the driver know where you will be getting off. The bus drivers will not charge you for a ticket and will wave you on board.
No, the driver will wave you on board without a ticket.
The Pompey Link bus service will be running for FREE on Saturday 6 December and Sunday 7 December (an extra day outside of usual service hours), making local journeys easier!
It’s the perfect opportunity to try Pompey Link and support local businesses on Small Business Saturday – including the traders at Port Solent’s Festival of Christmas Market.
Pompey Link is a shared minibus connecting Paulsgrove and Port Solent, with stops at Cosham Interchange and QA Hospital for those travelling to and from Port Solent. To get the journey you need, we recommend booking your free trip in advance using the Book a Journey app, or by calling 0333 015 1271.
Bookings will appear with a fare charge in the app, but when you get on the bus there is no charge at all on either of these days.
