More Bus

More Bus. It is a major bus operator providing services across the South Coast of England, primarily within the counties of Dorset and Hampshire. Formed through the rebranding and consolidation of several established local operators, the company operates a extensive network of urban, inter-urban, and rural routes. More Bus is a subsidiary of the international transport group, the Go-Ahead Group, and plays a key role in the public transport infrastructure of the South West and South East England.

History

The company's origins trace back to the operations of Wilts & Dorset, a long-standing operator whose history is intertwined with the Bournemouth Corporation Transport and later National Bus Company ownership. Following deregulation under the Transport Act 1985, the operation underwent several ownership changes, including a period under the Stagecoach Group. In 2013, the Go-Ahead Group acquired the former FirstGroup operations in Hampshire and Dorset, merging them with its existing Wilts & Dorset business to create a unified brand. This consolidation was a significant event in the regional transport sector, mirroring similar strategic acquisitions by groups like Arriva and Rotala. The launch of the More Bus identity marked a deliberate move to modernize the public perception of bus travel across the region, following precedents set by operators such as Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company.

Operations

More Bus manages a dense network of services centered on major urban conurbations including Bournemouth, Poole, and Southampton, with key routes connecting these hubs to towns like Ringwood, Christchurch, and Lymington. The operation includes high-frequency Salisbury services and vital connections to locations such as the New Forest, Portsmouth, and Winchester. A significant part of its service portfolio involves contracted work for local authorities like Dorset Council and Hampshire County Council, ensuring essential rural connectivity. The company also operates several Park and ride sites, notably serving Poole Hospital and Bournemouth University, and participates in multi-operator ticketing schemes such as the Solent Travelcard.

Fleet

The fleet comprises several hundred vehicles, featuring a mix of single-decker, double-decker, and minibus types sourced primarily from manufacturers Alexander Dennis and Volvo. A significant number of Alexander Dennis Enviro200 and Alexander Dennis Enviro400 models form the backbone of urban services. In line with the environmental policies of the Go-Ahead Group and directives from the Department for Transport, the company has introduced a growing number of zero-emission vehicles, including battery electric buses. The fleet also includes coaches used for private hire and contracted services, with maintenance carried out at its main depots in Bournemouth and Hoverworks.

Fares and ticketing

The company employs a multi-tier fare structure, including single tickets, daily caps, and extensive period passes like the popular 'mTicket' available through its proprietary mobile application. More Bus is a key participant in the England-wide English National Concessionary Travel Scheme, accepting passes issued by authorities such as Dorset Council. Integrated ticketing is facilitated through the More Bus network, with through-ticketing agreements for longer journeys involving partners like South Western Railway and Bluestar. The introduction of contactless payment across the fleet followed industry-wide initiatives supported by the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK.

Livery and branding

The corporate identity features a distinctive livery of deep purple and aqua blue, a deliberate departure from the traditional reds and greens of its predecessor companies. This scheme is applied uniformly across the fleet, accompanied by a modern, lowercase 'more' logo. Special all-over advertisements are commonly carried for local attractions and events, such as the Bournemouth Air Festival and Poole Harbour. The branding extends to passenger information at major interchanges like Bournemouth Square and Poole Bus Station, and the visual identity is consistently applied across its digital platforms, including the More Bus website and mobile app, following design trends seen in operators like Oxford Bus Company.

Category:Bus transport in England Category:Go-Ahead Group Category:Companies based in Dorset Category:Transport companies established in 2013