An innovative new on-demand public transport service will connect Paulsgrove and Port Solent and better provide easy and affordable travel in the area.

Portsmouth City Council is introducing Pompey Link, a shared, on-demand minibus service, which will be trialled for a 10-month period until the end of March 2026. Pompey Link combines elements of both a bus service and a taxi ride in a way that has not been seen in Portsmouth before.

The service will be delivered by charity Community First and is made possible through funding from the Portsmouth Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).

Pompey Link is designed to improve public transport connections for both Paulsgrove and Port Solent. Paulsgrove residents can now easily reach Port Solent, while Port Solent residents will benefit from easier access to Paulsgrove, Queen Alexandra Hospital, and other bus and rail links at Cosham Interchange.

The service ensures that both areas – particularly Port Solent, which currently lacks direct public transport connections – have more convenient travel options.

Passengers can book a trip on demand or up to four days in advance, by phone or app, and will be picked up from their nearest bus stop, including the former bus stop outside the Odeon in Port Solent. This is a shared service, so the minibus may pick up and drop off other passengers on the way.

Cllr Peter Candlish, Cabinet Member for Transport at Portsmouth City Council, said:

“We’re excited to introduce Pompey Link, which provides better transport connections in the Paulsgrove area and a vital link to Port Solent, an area we know is currently underserved by public transport. Whether you are travelling for work or leisure, Pompey Link is a convenient and affordable travel option, and I hope people will try it.”

Tim Houghton, Chief Executive of Community First, said:

“We are delighted to offer the Paulsgrove and Port Solent community a reliable, affordable and more flexible way to travel. This service allows people to book a journey when they need it, reducing the need for fixed routes and providing a more responsive, environmentally friendly transport solution.

This new service will be a lifeline for passengers, especially in Port Solent, who might not have access to transport to get to social and health appointments as well as for essential shopping trips.”

Pompey Link will be available Monday to Saturday, from 9am to 7pm, excluding bank holidays. Trips can be booked using the Book a Journey app, available to download from the Apple and Google Play stores, and most journeys start from £2.

For those who prefer to book over the phone, Community First’s customer service team is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 4.30pm on 0333 015 1271. Pompey Link vehicles are accessible for wheelchair users and passengers with folding pushchairs. Babies can travel where parents or carers provide a car seat. Guide and service dogs are welcome on board.

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