Uni-link
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Uni-link is a bus operator in Southampton, Hampshire, England. Created in 1998, Uni-link services are primarily for use by students at the University of Southampton, although anyone is able to use them.
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[edit] History & fleet information
Until 1998, the University of Southampton made contracts with local bus operators, such as First, to provide bus routes under the "Uni-link" branding. In 1999, and in a bid to improve the image of these services, the university set up its own company called Uni-link, in association with Minerva Accord. The chosen name provided continuity with the branding of the former university bus routes.
The services began with nine Caetano Nimbus-bodied Dennis Dart SLF buses in a new Uni-link livery, and five routes numbered U1, U2, U3, U4, U5, although routes and buses have since varied.
Route U1 has always been the most heavily traveled, and because of this Uni-link received a government grant in 2004 which was used to purchase four new Scania OmniDekka double-decker buses and improve the route. A further OmniDekka was purchased in 2005, and Uni-link also leased two Enviro 300s while planning the introduction of a Scania OmniCity (which has entered service).
In September 2005, Uni-link was awarded a five-year contract to run the free City-link shuttle from Southampton Central railway station to Town Quay. With the award of this contract, the company will nearly double its passenger use: the city-link has one million passengers per annum. To meet the anticipated demand, the company ordered two Myllenium-bodied Dennis Dart SLF buses in January 2006. Before these arrived, the line used two Caetano Nimbus-bodied Dennis Dart SLF buses - one of its own and one leased.
[edit] Current fleet
The fleet currently includes the following vehicles:
- Nine Caetano Nimbus-bodied Dennis Dart SLF, numbered 10 — 18
- Two East Lancashire Myllenium-bodied Alexander Dennis Dart SLF, numbered 51 and 52 (For city-link shuttle)
- Five East Lancashire-bodied Scania OmniDekkas, numbered 31 — 35
- One Alexander Dennis Enviro 300, numbered 38 (Leased)
- Two Mercedes-Benz Citaro O530s, numbered 79 and 80 (Long term lease from Wilts & Dorset - who numbered them 179 & 180)
- One Scania Omnicity, numbered 37
[edit] Routes
Uni-link (as of October 2006) operates four routes: U1, U2, U6 and U9, in addition to the free City-link shuttle bus service.
[edit] U1
Runs every day, all year between National Oceanography Centre and Southampton Airport, extending on to Eastleigh in the early morning and early evening. Stops in between at Town Quay, West Quay shopping centre, Southampton Central railway station, Southampton Civic Centre (for the Marlands shopping centre), Inner Avenue (for New College), Portswood, and the university (Highfield Campus and Wessex Lane Halls). The route towards Southampton Airport is the U1A, the route towards the National Oceanography Centre is the U1C, and the route towards Eastleigh Bus Station is the U1E.
[edit] U2
Runs every day all year, between Southampton Civic Centre in the city centre, and the Crematorium, calling at London Road, New College, Avenue Campus, Boldrewood, Highfield Campus and Glen Eyre Halls. The route towards Glen Eyre Halls is the U2B, and the route towards Southampton Civic Centre is the U2C.
[edit] U6
Runs every day all year, between Southampton General Hospital, and Southampton Oceanography Centre. Stops in between at Boldrewood, Highfield Interchange, Wessex Lane, Portswood Junction, Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton Institute, Southampton Civic Centre (for the Marlands shopping centre), West Quay and Town Quay, and provides an evening service to Leisure World. The route towards the National Oceanography Centre is the U6C, and the route towards the Southampton General Hospital is the U6H.
[edit] U9
Runs weekdays all year, between Townhill Park and the West Wing of Southampton General Hospital. Stops in between at Big Cheese, Witts Hill, Bitterne Triangle, Portswood (The Mitre), Highfield Interchange, Boldrewood and Taunton's College.
[edit] City-link shuttle service
Runs every 10 mins, every day and all year. The free shuttle bus service runs between Southampton Central railway station and Town Quay, via West Quay shopping centre and the Marlands shopping centre. They were awarded the 5 year contract from Southampton City Council (Previously operated by First Hampshire and dorset). New dual door buses have been purchased. The new buses have increased the routes capacity by 52%. If a Myllenium is out of action, a Caetano Nimbus takes its place. The Nimbus is a spare specifically for this route.
[edit] Glen Eyre Shuttle bus
This is an experimental service from the interchange to the Halls, to take pressure off the U2
