Uni-link 3897151 224386421 2008-07-08T17:00:11Z Arriva436 2363746 /* City-link shuttle service */ Added image of a city-link [[Image:Uni-link logo.PNG|frame|right|The Uni-link logo]] [[Image:Uni-link caetano.png|thumb|300px|right|A Caetano Nimbus Dennis Dart SLF on the U2, which runs between the crematorium and the city centre.]] '''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. ==History & fleet information== Until 1998, the University of Southampton made contracts with local bus operators, such as [[First Group|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 [[Salvador Caetano|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,<ref>[http://www.uni-link.info/news_moreU1buses.shtml More U1 buses for weekends] Accessed 6th January 2008</ref> and because of this Uni-link received a government grant in [[2004]] which was used to purchase four new [[Scania OmniDekka]] [[double-decker bus]]es and improve the route. <ref>[http://www.uni-link.info/fleet.shtml Uni-link Fleet Information]</ref> 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)<ref>[http://www.uni-link.info/fleet.shtml Uni-link fleet information] Accessed 6th January 2008</ref>. 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<ref>[http://www.southampton.gov.uk/Images/9.%20Transport%20investment%20plans%20-%20Integrated%20transport_tcm46-160704.pdf Southampton Local Transport Plan 2001/2 to 2005/6] Accessed 10th May 2007</ref>. 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 Bus and Coach#Evolution|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. <ref>[http://bobthebusman.fotopic.net/p41858263.html Scania OmniCity on trial]</ref> 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 (bus company)|Bluestar]] services. ===Current fleet=== The fleet currently includes the following vehicles: *Nine [[Salvador Caetano|Caetano Nimbus]]-bodied [[Dennis Dart SLF]], numbered 10 &mdash; 18 *Two [[East Lancs Myllennium|East Lancashire Myllennium]]-bodied [[Alexander Dennis]] Dart SLF, numbered 51 and 52 (For city-link shuttle) *Five [[East Lancashire Coachbuilders|East Lancashire]]-bodied [[Scania OmniDekka]]s, numbered 31 &mdash; 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 Bus and Coach#Evolution|MCV Evolution]], numbered 19 ==Routes== Uni-link operates four routes: U1, U2, U6 and U9, in addition to the free City-link shuttle bus service. ===U1=== Runs every day, all year between [[National Oceanography Centre, Southampton|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]], [[Civic Centre, Southampton|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, Southampton|National Oceanography Centre]] is the U1C, and the route towards [[Eastleigh]] Bus Station is the U1E. ===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. ===U6=== Runs every day all year, between [[Southampton General Hospital]], and [[National Oceanography Centre, Southampton|National Oceanography Centre]]. Stops in between at [[Boldrewood]], [[Highfield, Hampshire|Highfield]] Interchange, [[Wessex Lane Halls|Wessex Lane]], [[Portswood]] Junction, [[Royal South Hampshire Hospital|Royal South Hants Hospital]], [[Southampton Solent University]], [[Civic Centre, Southampton|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, Southampton|National Oceanography Centre]] is the U6C, and the route towards the [[Southampton General Hospital]] is the U6H. ===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, Hampshire|Highfield]] Interchange, [[Boldrewood]] and Taunton's College. ===City-link shuttle service=== [[Image:Enterprise 51.JPG|right|thumb|200px|One of the buses used on the City-link.]] Runs every 15 mins<ref>[http://www2.redfunnel.co.uk/library/pdfs/travel-connections/citylink-tt-leaflet-dec-10-2007-tt-for-web.pdf Citylink timetable]</ref>, 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 <ref>[http://www2.redfunnel.co.uk/library/pdfs/travel-connections/citylink-map-a4-dec-2007-for-web.pdf City-Link map]</ref>. Uni-link operator [[Minerva Accord]] was awarded the 5 year contract from Southampton City Council (Previously operated by [[First Hampshire & Dorset]]){{Fact|date=August 2007}}. New dual door [[East Lancs Myllennium]] buses have been purchased, which have increased the route's capacity by 52%.<ref>[http://bob799.fotopic.net/p35115577.html City-link bus has two doors]</ref> If a Myllenium is out of action, a Caetano Nimbus takes its place.{{Fact|date=August 2007}} The Nimbus is a spare specifically for this route.{{Fact|date=August 2007}} ===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.{{Fact|date=August 2007}} ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.uni-link.info Uni-link official site] {{Bus companies in South East England}} [[Category:Transport in Hampshire]] [[Category:Bus operators in England]] [[Category:Southampton]]