Changes to bus travel to begin tomorrow as Solent Go smartcards are phased out
A change to how you can buy bus tickets across southern Hampshire will come into effect this month as smartcards are phased out.
Solent Go smartcards, a travelcard which can be topped up to provide access to bus routes in Portsmouth and across the south coast, will no longer be able to be purchased online. Solent Transport have made the change to reflect how customer use their service with tickets now only available via the individual bus service provider apps or on the bus.
As of April 6, 2026, the physical smartcards will not be able to be purchased online, however anyone that already has one will be able to use them until June 22 this year.
A spokesperson for Solent Transport said: “We know most customers now buy their tickets directly through operator apps or on the bus, so this change simply reflects how people already travel.
"All Solent Go tickets will continue to be available from bus operators apps and on the bus, only the smartcard purchased from the Solent Go webpage is being phased out.
"Our goal is to continue offering convenient, joined up travel across the region, and this update helps make sure customers have simple and flexible ways to plan their journeys.”
From April 6, bus operators including First Bus, Go South Coast and Stagecoach will offer the full range of Solent Go tickets through their apps. In addition to this, one-day paper tickets will be available to buy on their buses.
Registered smartcard holders will be contacted directly regarding the changes.
Further details on the changes and the Solent Go tickets can be found at https://solentgo.co.uk/