Uni-link
Encyclopedia
Uni-link is the brand for bus
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
services run under contract for the University of Southampton
University of Southampton
The University of Southampton is a British public university located in the city of Southampton, England, a member of the Russell Group. The origins of the university can be dated back to the founding of the Hartley Institution in 1862 by Henry Robertson Hartley. In 1902, the Institution developed...
in Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
, Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, by existing bus companies. Created in 1998, Uni-link services are primarily for use by students at the university, although anyone is able to use them.
History
The idea first started in 1996, when a shuttle service was started by the universityUniversity of Southampton
The University of Southampton is a British public university located in the city of Southampton, England, a member of the Russell Group. The origins of the university can be dated back to the founding of the Hartley Institution in 1862 by Henry Robertson Hartley. In 1902, the Institution developed...
, which ran between the main campus at Highfield and the new at the time Oceanography Centre in Southampton Docks. This was available only to university students.
In 1998, the university wished to expand the service, so made a contract with local bus operator First Hampshire & Dorset
First Hampshire & Dorset
First Hampshire & Dorset is a subsidiary bus company within FirstGroup, which operates buses and trains throughout Great Britain.First Hampshire & Dorset has its head office in Empress Road, Southampton and operates bus services in the Weymouth and Bridport areas in Dorset; and services in...
to provide the services, using the "Uni-link" branding. After some bad experiences, a move was taken to improve the image of the services.
Minerva Accord
In 1999, the university set up its own company called to run the routes, in association with Minerva Accord, still using the "uni-link" name. The chosen name provided continuity with the branding of the former university bus routes.The services began with nine Caetano Nimbus
Caetano Nimbus
The Caetano Nimbus was a bus body built by Salvador Caetano in Waterlooville, Hampshire, England, between 1999 and 2007. It was constructed exclusively on the Dennis Dart SLF....
-bodied Dennis Dart
Dennis Dart
The Dennis Dart is a rear-engined midibus built by Dennis in the United Kingdom. More than 11,000 were built during 18 years of production....
SLF buses in a new Uni-link livery
Livery
A livery is a uniform, insignia or symbol adorning, in a non-military context, a person, an object or a vehicle that denotes a relationship between the wearer of the livery and an individual or corporate body. Often, elements of the heraldry relating to the individual or corporate body feature in...
, with five routes numbered U1, U2, U3, U4, U5. These route have since varied.
Route U1 has always been the most heavily used, and because of this Uni-link received a government grant in 2004 which was used to purchase four new Scania OmniDekka
Scania OmniDekka
The Scania OmniDekka is a double-decker bus built for sale in the UK...
double-decker bus
Double-decker bus
A double-decker bus is a bus that has two storeys or 'decks'. Global usage of this type of bus is more common in outer touring than in its intra-urban transportion role. Double-decker buses are also commonly found in certain parts of Europe, Asia, and former British colonies and protectorates...
es and improve the route. A further OmniDekka was purchased in 2005, and Uni-link also leased two Alexander Dennis Enviro300s while planning the introduction of a Scania OmniCity
Scania OmniCity
The Scania OmniCity is an integrally-constructed transverse-engined low floor citybus available on the European market. The OmniCity is a complete product built in Poland by Scania AB, a company based in Sweden....
(which has entered service).
In September 2005, the uni-link operator Minerva Accord was awarded a five-year contract to run the free City-link shuttle service from Southampton Central railway station
Southampton Central railway station
Southampton Central railway station is a main line railway station serving the city of Southampton in Hampshire, southern England. It is on the Wessex Main Line, the South Western Main Line and the West Coastway Line...
to Town Quay, to connect with Red Funnel
Red Funnel
The Southampton Isle of Wight and South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Company Limited, which trades as Red Funnel, is a ferry company that carries passengers and vehicles on routes between the English mainland and the Isle of Wight...
ferries. With the award of this contract, the company nearly doubled its passenger use, the city-link having one million passengers per annum. To meet the anticipated demand, the company bought two Myllennium-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.
April 2007 brought a new MCV Evolution into the fleet. In June of that year, Uni-link trialled an articulated Scania OmniCity
Scania OmniCity
The Scania OmniCity is an integrally-constructed transverse-engined low floor citybus available on the European market. The OmniCity is a complete product built in Poland by Scania AB, a company based in Sweden....
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.
Since July 2007, Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
was tested on one of the OmniDekka (fleet no. 35) buses on the U1 route. It was intended that if the trial went well, wi-fi would be added to the rest of the U1 buses. 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.
Fleet
Whilst Minvera Accord was running the service, the fleet contained the following. When the services was started, a number of different buses were leased.- 9 Caetano NimbusCaetano NimbusThe Caetano Nimbus was a bus body built by Salvador Caetano in Waterlooville, Hampshire, England, between 1999 and 2007. It was constructed exclusively on the Dennis Dart SLF....
-bodied Dennis Dart SLF, numbered 10 — 18 - 1 MCV Evolution, numbered 19
- 5 East LancashireEast Lancashire CoachbuildersEast Lancashire Coachbuilders Limited was a manufacturer of bus bodies and carriages founded in 1934 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.In 1994 the company expanded in to new premises and commenced a programme of development that resulted in a range of single and double deck buses which was the...
-bodied Scania OmniDekkaScania OmniDekkaThe Scania OmniDekka is a double-decker bus built for sale in the UK...
s, numbered 31 — 35 - 1 Scania OmniCityScania OmniCityThe Scania OmniCity is an integrally-constructed transverse-engined low floor citybus available on the European market. The OmniCity is a complete product built in Poland by Scania AB, a company based in Sweden....
, numbered 37 - 1 Alexander Dennis Enviro300, numbered 38 (leased)
- 2 East Lancashire MyllenniumEast Lancs MyllenniumThe East Lancs Myllennium is a type of bus body built on MAN, Volvo, DAF/VDL and Alexander Dennis chassis. It was built as a single and double deck body, with double deck bodies having slightly different names .-Single decker:...
-bodied Alexander Dennis Dart SLF, numbered 51 and 52 (for city-link) - 2 Mercedes-Benz Citaro O530s, numbered 79 and 80 (long term lease from Wilts & DorsetWilts & DorsetWilts & Dorset is a bus company in England covering Poole, Bournemouth, East Dorset, South Wiltshire and West Hampshire. Its local headquarters is in Poole, but it is owned by the Go-Ahead Group, a major UK transport group....
, who numbered them 179 & 180)
Bluestar
In early 2008, it was announced that BluestarBluestar (bus company)
Bluestar is a trading name of Solent Blue Line Ltd. Based in Eastleigh, the company operates bus routes in Hampshire that previously traded under the Solent Blue Line name. Blue Line was started by bus company Southern Vectis as it sought to expand from the Isle of Wight in 1987...
had won the contract to run the services. They took over operations on September 28 2008, to coincide with the new university year.
A fleet of brand new vehicles was ordered, an investment of £3 million, the first of which arrived in the area just before Bluestar were due to take over operations. These are all Scania OmniCity
Scania OmniCity
The Scania OmniCity is an integrally-constructed transverse-engined low floor citybus available on the European market. The OmniCity is a complete product built in Poland by Scania AB, a company based in Sweden....
s, with nine each of the single- and double-deck model, which were put into service between September 2008 and March 2009. Initially Bluestar operate the existing fleet on loan. Compared with the previous buses, they wear a slightly lighter shade of blue.
Fleet
- 9 Double-deck Scania OmniCityScania OmniCityThe Scania OmniCity is an integrally-constructed transverse-engined low floor citybus available on the European market. The OmniCity is a complete product built in Poland by Scania AB, a company based in Sweden....
, numbered 1301-1309 - 10 Single-deck Scania OmniCityScania OmniCityThe Scania OmniCity is an integrally-constructed transverse-engined low floor citybus available on the European market. The OmniCity is a complete product built in Poland by Scania AB, a company based in Sweden....
, numbered 2001-2010 - 1 East LancashireEast Lancashire CoachbuildersEast Lancashire Coachbuilders Limited was a manufacturer of bus bodies and carriages founded in 1934 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.In 1994 the company expanded in to new premises and commenced a programme of development that resulted in a range of single and double deck buses which was the...
-bodied Scania OmniDekkaScania OmniDekkaThe Scania OmniDekka is a double-decker bus built for sale in the UK...
, numbered 1035 - 4 Volvo B7TLVolvo B7TLVolvo B7TL is a low-floor double-decker bus which was launched in 1999 and replaced the 2-axle version of Volvo Olympian...
/Plaxton PresidentPlaxton PresidentThe Plaxton President was a double-decker bus body built at Northern Counties plant in Wigan, England and branded as a Plaxton product for its main production run. It was unveiled in 1997 and built between 1999 and 2005. When Plaxton became part of TransBus International, the body was sold under...
, numbered 1310-1313 (Ex London General)
U1
Runs every day, all year between National Oceanography CentreNational Oceanography Centre, Southampton
The National Oceanography Centre, Southampton describes the integrated collaboration between the Southampton-based part of the Natural Environment Research Council’s National Oceanography Centre, and University of Southampton Ocean and Earth Science...
and Southampton Airport
Southampton Airport
Southampton Airport is the 20th largest airport in the UK, located north north-east of Southampton, in the Borough of Eastleigh within Hampshire, England....
, extending on to Eastleigh
Eastleigh
Eastleigh is a railway town in Hampshire, England, and the main town in the Eastleigh borough which is part of Southampton Urban Area. The town lies between Southampton and Winchester, and is part of the South Hampshire conurbation...
in the early morning and early evening. Stops in between at Town Quay, West Quay
West Quay
WestQuay is a shopping centre in Southampton, United Kingdom and has an area of of retail space and contains around a hundred shops, including major retailers such as, John Lewis, Marks and Spencer, Zara, Schuh, Waterstone's, Hollister Co., Bank, Apple, and many more top brand names.It is situated...
shopping centre, Southampton Central railway station
Southampton Central railway station
Southampton Central railway station is a main line railway station serving the city of Southampton in Hampshire, southern England. It is on the Wessex Main Line, the South Western Main Line and the West Coastway Line...
, Southampton Civic Centre
Civic Centre, Southampton
The Civic Centre in Southampton is the home of Southampton City Council.It hosts a police station, council offices, the Guildhall venue, the well-endowed city art gallery, and the city library...
(for the Marlands shopping centre), Inner Avenue (for New College), Portswood
Portswood
Portswood is a suburb and Electoral Ward of Southampton, England. The suburb lies to the north-east of the city centre and is bounded by Freemantle, Highfield, Swaythling, St. Denys and Bevois Valley....
, and the university (Highfield Campus and Wessex Lane Halls). The route towards Southampton Airport
Southampton Airport
Southampton Airport is the 20th largest airport in the UK, located north north-east of Southampton, in the Borough of Eastleigh within Hampshire, England....
is the U1A, the route towards the National Oceanography Centre
National Oceanography Centre, Southampton
The National Oceanography Centre, Southampton describes the integrated collaboration between the Southampton-based part of the Natural Environment Research Council’s National Oceanography Centre, and University of Southampton Ocean and Earth Science...
is the U1C, and the route towards Eastleigh
Eastleigh
Eastleigh is a railway town in Hampshire, England, and the main town in the Eastleigh borough which is part of Southampton Urban Area. The town lies between Southampton and Winchester, and is part of the South Hampshire conurbation...
Bus Station is the U1E.
U2
Runs every day all year (with a reduced service during University vacations), 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.U6
Runs every day all year, between Southampton General HospitalSouthampton General Hospital
Southampton General Hospital is a large Teaching Hospital in Southampton, England, operated by University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust...
, and National Oceanography Centre
National Oceanography Centre, Southampton
The National Oceanography Centre, Southampton describes the integrated collaboration between the Southampton-based part of the Natural Environment Research Council’s National Oceanography Centre, and University of Southampton Ocean and Earth Science...
. Stops in between at Boldrewood
Boldrewood
Boldrewood was the Biomedical Sciences campus of the University of Southampton, England. It was home to the School of Biological Sciences which encompasses the degree titles and research of Biology, Zoology, Biochemistry, Biomedical sciences and Pharmacology...
, Highfield Interchange, Wessex Lane
Wessex Lane Halls
Wessex Lane Halls is a halls of residence complex owned by the University of Southampton. It is situated in the Swaythling district of Southampton, approximately one mile north-east of the University campus in Highfield....
, Portswood
Portswood
Portswood is a suburb and Electoral Ward of Southampton, England. The suburb lies to the north-east of the city centre and is bounded by Freemantle, Highfield, Swaythling, St. Denys and Bevois Valley....
Junction, Royal South Hants Hospital
Royal South Hampshire Hospital
The Royal South Hants Hospital, known locally as "The RSH", is an acute hospital in Southampton. It has been managed by Southampton City Primary Care Trust since 31 March 2007 with some additional services being provided by the Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust...
, Southampton Solent University
Southampton Solent University
Southampton Solent University is a university of 17,000 students based in Southampton, United Kingdom. Its main campus is located on East Park Terrace near the city centre....
, Southampton Civic Centre
Civic Centre, Southampton
The Civic Centre in Southampton is the home of Southampton City Council.It hosts a police station, council offices, the Guildhall venue, the well-endowed city art gallery, and the city library...
(for the Marlands shopping centre), West Quay
West Quay
WestQuay is a shopping centre in Southampton, United Kingdom and has an area of of retail space and contains around a hundred shops, including major retailers such as, John Lewis, Marks and Spencer, Zara, Schuh, Waterstone's, Hollister Co., Bank, Apple, and many more top brand names.It is situated...
and Town Quay. The route towards the National Oceanography Centre
National Oceanography Centre, Southampton
The National Oceanography Centre, Southampton describes the integrated collaboration between the Southampton-based part of the Natural Environment Research Council’s National Oceanography Centre, and University of Southampton Ocean and Earth Science...
is the U6C, and the route towards the Southampton General Hospital
Southampton General Hospital
Southampton General Hospital is a large Teaching Hospital in Southampton, England, operated by University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust...
is the U6H.
U9
Runs rush-hour only all year, between Townhill ParkTownhill Park
Townhill Park is a suburb of Southampton, England, bordering Swaythling, Bitterne Park and West End. It is built on land which once belonged to the house which carries the same name.- History :...
and the West Wing of Southampton General Hospital
Southampton General Hospital
Southampton General Hospital is a large Teaching Hospital in Southampton, England, operated by University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust...
. Stops in between at the Mousehole Lane roundabout in Bitterne
Bitterne
Bitterne is an eastern suburb and Electoral Ward of Southampton, England.Bitterne derives its name not from the similarly named bird, the Bittern but from the bend in the River Itchen; the Old English words byht and ærn together mean "house near a bend", most likely a reference to Bitterne Manor...
, Witts Hill, Bitterne Park
Bitterne Park
Bitterne Park is a suburb and Electoral Ward of Southampton, England, on the Eastern bank of the River Itchen, built on sloping parkland which once formed part of Bitterne Manor....
Triangle, Portswood
Portswood
Portswood is a suburb and Electoral Ward of Southampton, England. The suburb lies to the north-east of the city centre and is bounded by Freemantle, Highfield, Swaythling, St. Denys and Bevois Valley....
(The Mitre), Highfield Interchange, Boldrewood
Boldrewood
Boldrewood was the Biomedical Sciences campus of the University of Southampton, England. It was home to the School of Biological Sciences which encompasses the degree titles and research of Biology, Zoology, Biochemistry, Biomedical sciences and Pharmacology...
and Taunton's College.
City-link shuttle service
This service runs every 15 mins, every day and all year. The free shuttle bus service runs between Southampton Central railway stationSouthampton Central railway station
Southampton Central railway station is a main line railway station serving the city of Southampton in Hampshire, southern England. It is on the Wessex Main Line, the South Western Main Line and the West Coastway Line...
and Town Quay, via West Quay
West Quay
WestQuay is a shopping centre in Southampton, United Kingdom and has an area of of retail space and contains around a hundred shops, including major retailers such as, John Lewis, Marks and Spencer, Zara, Schuh, Waterstone's, Hollister Co., Bank, Apple, and many more top brand names.It is situated...
shopping centre and the Marlands shopping centre . Uni-link operator Minerva Accord was awarded the five year contract from Southampton City Council (previously operated by First Hampshire & Dorset
First Hampshire & Dorset
First Hampshire & Dorset is a subsidiary bus company within FirstGroup, which operates buses and trains throughout Great Britain.First Hampshire & Dorset has its head office in Empress Road, Southampton and operates bus services in the Weymouth and Bridport areas in Dorset; and services in...
). New dual door East Lancs Myllennium
East Lancs Myllennium
The East Lancs Myllennium is a type of bus body built on MAN, Volvo, DAF/VDL and Alexander Dennis chassis. It was built as a single and double deck body, with double deck bodies having slightly different names .-Single decker:...
buses were purchased, which increased the route's capacity by 52%. If a Myllennium is out of action, a Caetano Nimbus takes its place. The Nimbus is a spare specifically for this route. When Enterprise lost the uni-link contract, Bluestar
Bluestar (bus company)
Bluestar is a trading name of Solent Blue Line Ltd. Based in Eastleigh, the company operates bus routes in Hampshire that previously traded under the Solent Blue Line name. Blue Line was started by bus company Southern Vectis as it sought to expand from the Isle of Wight in 1987...
agreed to take over operation of the service. The two buses were put into a new livery for the service.