Uni-link
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
Contents |
[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 used,[1] 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. [2] 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)[3].
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.
In late April 2007, former managing director John Waugh formed a new company called City Clipper, running a very similar route to the free City Loop service which was established at the same time as City-Link[4]. However the City Clipper service, unlike City Loop, is not free of charge. Other than the John Waugh connection, the City Clipper company is not related to Uni-link.
Also in April 2007, a new MCV Evolution was added to the fleet
In June 2007, Uni-link trialled an articulated Scania OmniCity on route U1. This was blinded as not operating via the Central Station (due to the restricted turning space there), however there were reports of drivers going there and successfully turning while in service. [5]
Since July 2007, Wi-Fi was being tested on one of the OmniDekka (fleet no. 35) buses on the U1 route. If the trial goes well, Wi-Fi will be fitted the rest of the buses on the U1 route. Between the start of October 2007 and January 2008, there were over 200 different sessions on the single vehicle. The Wi-Fi equipment on the bus is supplied by Moovera Networks.
In 2008, the Uni-link contract is due to pass to Solent Blue Line, who will keep it separate from their Bluestar services.
[edit] Current fleet
The fleet currently includes the following vehicles:
- Nine Caetano Nimbus-bodied Dennis Dart SLF, numbered 10 — 18
- Two East Lancashire Myllennium-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
- One MCV Evolution, numbered 19
[edit] Routes
Uni-link 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 National Oceanography Centre. Stops in between at Boldrewood, Highfield Interchange, Wessex Lane, Portswood Junction, Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton Solent University, 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 the Mousehole Lane roundabout in Bitterne, Witts Hill, Bitterne Park Triangle, Portswood (The Mitre), Highfield Interchange, Boldrewood and Taunton's College.
[edit] City-link shuttle service
Runs every 15 mins[6], 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 [7]. Uni-link operator Minerva Accord was awarded the 5 year contract from Southampton City Council (Previously operated by First Hampshire & Dorset)[citation needed]. New dual door buses have been purchased.[8] The new buses have increased the route's capacity by 52%.[citation needed] If a Myllenium is out of action, a Caetano Nimbus takes its place.[citation needed] The Nimbus is a spare specifically for this route.[citation needed]
[edit] Glen Eyre Shuttle bus
This was an experimental service from the interchange to the Halls, to take pressure off the U2. As of January 2007, Uni-Link decided not to continue this service.[citation needed]
[edit] References
- ^ More U1 buses for weekends Accessed 6th January 2008
- ^ Uni-link Fleet Information
- ^ Uni-link fleet information Accessed 6th January 2008
- ^ Southampton Local Transport Plan 2001/2 to 2005/6 Accessed 10th May 2007
- ^ Scania OmniCity on trial
- ^ Citylink timetable
- ^ City-Link map
- ^ City-link bus has two doors
[edit] External links
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
