Farewell to Southampton's Red Buses

Saturday 18th February 2023 was the final day of 'Red' bus operation in the City of Southampton when First Bus 'City Red' closed operations and their Empress Road depot for the last time ending 144 years of transport history that began with trams and later buses in Southampton. This momentous, sad, occasion has been covered in our recent DVD production, 'Southampton's Red Buses - The End'. This programme, filmed on the following day, Sunday 19th February was when the Southampton & District Transport Heritage Trust (S&DTHT) organised a Running Day to mark the occasion. The event was centred on Pound Tree Road in the city centre, a long time terminus for the 'red' buses over many years. Three routes were operated, no.9 to Shirley, no.15 to Portswood and no.16 to Woolston & Weston. Over ten buses attended the event giving free rides to the general public. This was an excellent event organised by the S&DTHT that sent the red buses off in style. We hope you enjoy this reminder of the day.