Easy Access Guarantee By Bluestar.

As part of our consultation process this past Autumn, we advised our fans and our customers across the network that we hoped to introduce full easy access operation on all our routes from 21 February 2010.

Unfortunately, there has been a delay in us receiving our four remaining Mercedes Citaro buses and this means that this launch date may have to be put back slightly. We're really disappointed by this, as we were so excited about being able to offer this pledge as soon as we can to the many people we know will appreciate it.

It means that we will have enough easy access buses to run the whole network, but some non-easy access buses (with a stepped entrance), will be used as back-ups and may enter service should a front-line vehicle need servicing.

Easy Access on all these routes from 21 February

However, we are committed to running the following services with easy access buses from 21 February. Should we fail to provide an easy access bus, you are entitled to travel for free (more details below)...

Bluestar 1 Southampton-Winchester
Bluestar 2 Southampton-Fair Oak
Bluestar 3 Southampton-Botley
Bluestar 9 Southampton-Waterside
Bluestar 10 Southampton-Cadnam
Bluestar 11 Southampton-Cadnam
Bluestar 14 Southampton-Bitterne
Bluestar 18 Millbrook-Southampton-Thornhill
Citylink Central Station-Town Quay
Baby Bluestar E1 2 3 Eastleigh-Winchester
Baby Bluestar F H T Local neighbourhood links
Nightstar N1 N2 N6 N9 N16 N18 N19

Uni-link U1 Dock Gate 4-Airport
Uni-link U2 Southampton-Bassett Green
Uni-link U6 Dock Gate 4-General Hospital
Uni-link U9 Townhill Park-General Hospital

Easy Access on all these routes from 15 March

Whilst we expect that easy access buses will operate most journeys on the following routes, we cannot offer this guarantee at the moment...

Bluestar 4 Southampton-Romsey
Bluestar 8 Southampton-Hythe
Bluestar 12 Southampton-Calmore

By 15 March, we expect that these three routes will be run by smart, posh Mercedes Citaro easy access buses, and we will be working like mad to get these into service for you as soon as we can.

Not an easy access bus? Then you can ride for free!

And, from 15 March - we will offer all our customers a simple pledge. If any Bluestar or Uni-link route runs with a non-easy access bus, you will be entitled to a free day pass. Simply post us your ticket or tell us what journey you travelled on, and we will post you a free day ticket for you to use on any date until 2012 on any Bluestar or Wilts & Dorset bus. Just send your ticket to our freepost address...

Easy Access Guarantee Bluestar HQ Freepost SO3313 Eastleigh SO50 6UA

Please note that this does not apply to any school- or college-specific bus numbered in the 500 or 600 series.