Portsmouth residents can travel on buses at no charge on Thursday 19th June 2025 in celebration of Clean Air Day, with all services within the city boundary participating in the initiative.
Portsmouth City Council has partnered with First Solent and Stagecoach bus operators to provide complimentary travel on Thursday 19th June as part of the authority’s Bus Service Improvement Plan aimed at enhancing public transport across the city.
The initiative presents an excellent opportunity for residents to increase their bus usage, whether families doing school runs, workers commuting to their jobs, whilst contributing to cleaner air and reduced traffic congestion by removing vehicles from roads. A fully occupied double-decker bus can replace up to 75 cars on the road, and if everyone replaced just one monthly car trip with bus travel, this would eliminate one billion car journeys and prevent 2 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Clean Air Day represents the UK’s largest air pollution awareness campaign, encouraging simple behavioural changes to minimise serious health impacts from vehicle and other emissions.
Government statistics show cars and vans constitute the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and certain air pollutants in the UK, damaging both human health and the environment. Increased walking, cycling, wheeling or reliable public transport usage would improve air quality for all whilst protecting health and the planet.
Passengers may board any bus service originating within Portsmouth’s boundaries, including routes 1, 2, 3, X4, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 25, 20, 700 and HV, plus the Pompey Link on-demand minibus service serving Paulsgrove and Port Solent. Portsmouth Park and Ride services are excluded from this scheme.
Do I need to do anything when boarding?
Signal your bus normally and inform the driver of your destination. Drivers will not request payment and will direct you aboard without charge.
Do I require a ticket?
No, drivers will allow boarding without ticketing.
What are the operating hours?
Free travel operates from 12.01am on Thursday 19th June until 12.00am on Friday 20th June.
How does bus travel enhance Portsmouth’s air quality?
Public transport usage improves air quality and decreases traffic congestion by reducing road vehicles. A full double-decker can replace up to 75 cars. If everyone substituted one monthly car journey with bus travel, this would eliminate one billion car trips and save 2 million tonnes of CO2.
Portsmouth operates electric, zero-emission buses on routes traversing four air quality management areas, targeting pollution reduction in the most affected locations.
