FAQs
Withdrawal of Solent Go Smartcards
- Why are Solent Go smartcards being phased out?
-
Use of the Solent Go smartcards have reduced over recent years as most customers now choose to buy their tickets through bus operator apps or on the bus. Maintaining the smartcard platform is no longer cost effective, and all Solent Go ticket types are now available through other channels.
- When will I no longer be able to buy a Solent Go smartcard?
-
Smartcards purchased online through the Solent Go webpage will no longer be available from 6 April 2026.
- Can I still use my existing smartcard?
-
Yes. Existing Solent Go smartcards will remain valid for travel until 29 June 2026, giving customers time to use any remaining tickets.
- Will Solent Go tickets still be available after the smartcard is phased out?
-
Yes. All Solent Go ticket types will continue to be available. The only change is how you buy them. From 6 April 2026, tickets can be purchased:
- Through bus operator mobile apps
- On the bus (paper tickets)
- What ticket options will be available on operator apps?
-
From 6 April 2026, bus operators including First Bus, Go South Coast and Stagecoach will offer the full range of Solent Go products on their apps, including 28 day and 91 day options.
- Can I still buy tickets on the bus?
-
Yes. One day paper tickets will continue to be available on the bus for customers who prefer not to use an app.
- What happens if I do not have a smartphone?
-
You can continue buying paper day tickets directly from the driver. These remain valid options for customers who prefer not to use digital ticketing.
- Can I still travel across different operators using Solent Go tickets?
-
Yes. Solent Go tickets continue to give you the flexibility to travel with participating bus operators across the Solent area. You can start your journey with one operator and continue with another on the same ticket.
- What do I need to do before 29 June 2026?
-
If you currently use a Solent Go smartcard, you should:
- Use any remaining tickets before 29 June 2026
- Switch to buying tickets through your operator’s mobile app or buy paper tickets on the bus
- Will I lose access to any Solent Go ticket types?
-
No. All existing Solent Go ticket types will remain available. This is a change to the sales method, not to the tickets themselves.
- Will I receive communication about this change?
-
Yes. Solent Transport will contact all registered smartcard users directly and will share updates on the Solent Go website, social media channels and through operator partners.
- What should I do if I have questions?
-
Please view our FAQs for full details or contact your bus operator’s customer services team.
General
- Can I sign up for news updates?
-
Yes, you can sign up to our news updates on the homepage of the Solent Go website.
- I am a business and wish to offer Solent Go to my staff.
-
For information tailored to your business, fill out the contact form and we’ll be pleased to help.
- Is the website safe?
-
Yes. The website is compliant with best practice for the secure processing of both information and payments.
- How do I submit a complaint or suggestion?
-
Please use the contact form at the bottom of the support page. All complaints and suggestions must be submitted using the online form. If your complaint or suggestion relates to a particular bus or ferry operator please contact them directly. Full contact details can be found on the travel information pages of the Solent Go website.
- Can I still purchase a paper Solent Travelcard?
-
Solent Go is the new name for the Solent Travelcard. A one day and seven day Solent Region paper ticket valid for bus travel only is still available to purchase from any participating bus operator, just ask your driver.
- Why is my Solent Go app for Android not working?
-
The Solent Go app for Android has been withdrawn to align with the withdrawal of Solent Go Smartcards. All Solent Go travel cards continue to be available and can be purchased through bus operator mobile apps. One day and weekly travel cards can be purchased on the bus as a paper travel card.
- My device doesn't read my travel card using the Solent Go app for Android.
-
The Solent Go app for Android has been withdrawn to align with the withdrawal of Solent Go Smartcards. All Solent Go travel cards continue to be available and can be purchased through bus operator mobile apps. One day and weekly travel cards can be purchased on the bus as a paper travel card.
Fares
- What tickets can I purchase?
-
| Travel card Type |
Period |
Price (as at 31 March 2026) |
Mobile |
Paper |
| Portsmouth City Zone |
1 day |
£6 |
✓ |
✓ |
| 7 days |
£24 |
✓ |
✓ |
| 28 days |
£77 |
✓ |
|
| 91 days |
£220 |
✓ |
|
| Saver 5 (one day travel cards) |
£27 |
✓ |
|
| Southampton City Zone |
1 day |
£6 |
✓ |
✓ |
| 7 days |
£24 |
✓ |
✓ |
| 28 days |
£77 |
✓ |
|
| 91 days |
£220 |
✓ |
|
| Saver 5 (one day travel cards) |
£27 |
✓ |
|
| Solent Region Zone |
1 day |
£11 |
✓ |
✓ |
| 7 days |
£36 |
✓ |
✓ |
| 28 days |
£117 |
✓ |
|
| 91 days |
£328 |
✓ |
|
| Saver 5 (one day travel cards) |
£45 |
✓ |
|
| Greater Portsmouth Zone |
1 day |
£8 |
✓ |
✓ |
| 7 days |
£32 |
✓ |
|
- How much do tickets cost?
-
| Travel card Type |
Period |
Price (as at 31 March 2026) |
Mobile |
Paper |
| Portsmouth City Zone |
1 day |
£6 |
✓ |
✓ |
| 7 days |
£24 |
✓ |
✓ |
| 28 days |
£77 |
✓ |
|
| 91 days |
£220 |
✓ |
|
| Saver 5 (one day travel cards) |
£27 |
✓ |
|
| Southampton City Zone |
1 day |
£6 |
✓ |
✓ |
| 7 days |
£24 |
✓ |
✓ |
| 28 days |
£77 |
✓ |
|
| 91 days |
£220 |
✓ |
|
| Saver 5 (one day travel cards) |
£27 |
✓ |
|
| Solent Region Zone |
1 day |
£11 |
✓ |
✓ |
| 7 days |
£36 |
✓ |
✓ |
| 28 days |
£117 |
✓ |
|
| 91 days |
£328 |
✓ |
|
| Saver 5 (one day travel cards) |
£45 |
✓ |
|
| Greater Portsmouth Zone |
1 day |
£8 |
✓ |
✓ |
| 7 days |
£32 |
✓ |
|
- I’m a student / child, do you offer discounted tickets?
-
Not at the moment.
- Is there an electronic cash purse option? (pay as you go)
-
Not at the moment.
- How long are bus tickets valid for?
-
Bus tickets are valid for a set number of consecutive days.
Your ticket will activate upon first use.
- Is there a family ticket?
-
Not at the moment.
Travel information
- Where can I view timetable information?
-
Limited travel information can be found on the Solent Go website.
For full timetable information please visit Traveline or the My Journey website where there is a comprehensive journey planner tool.
- Where can I travel with Solent Go?
-
Where you can travel depends upon the type of ticket you have purchased.
- Bus operator zones include a Solent region zone and two smaller city zones for Southampton and Portsmouth.
- Ferry tickets provide travel between two points e.g. Gosport and Portsmouth.
Maps and boundary information can be found on the travel information pages of the Solent Go website.
- Is bus and ferry travel to and on the Isle of Wight included?
-
No. Bus travel on the Isle of Wight and IOW ferriy travel is not currently included.
- Which bus operators accept Solent Go?
-
- Bluestar
- Emsworth & District
- First Hampshire
- Stagecoach South
- Unilink
- Wheelers
- Xelabus
- Which bus services are excluded?
-
Certain bus services are excluded:
- All services for which no fare is charged
- All Park and Ride services
- All Rail Replacement bus services
- All football specials
- All night services for which a premium fare is charged and which commence journeys between the hours of 0100 and 0359 inclusive
- All locally registered long distance, National Express, Megabus or similar services
- All sightseeing tour bus services
- Stagecoach 737, 747 and Peter Symonds Service
- First S3, S4 and S5
- College buses
- Where can I view information on the bus stop boundaries?
-
You can view full bus stop boundary information, including the name of the stop and NAPTAN number on the travel maps page.
- Why do your maps not show specific bus routes?
-
The maps have been designed to provide information on the boundary of the scheme. More detailed bus stop boundary information can be found by downloading the bus stop boundary information sheet.
For specific timetable and bus route information please visit the relevant bus operator website, or why not try using the My Journey Journey Planner?
Buying travel cards
- Can I use my Southampton City Council Smartcities card?
-
No not currently.
- Can ferry tickets be bought for bicycles or motorcycles?
-
Not currently on a Solent Go card.
- Can I get a refund on tickets purchased directly from a bus or ferry operator?
-
Tickets purchased directly from a bus or ferry operator cannot be refunded by Solent Go. Please contact the operator directly to enquire about their refund policy.
- I have uploaded a bus ticket but the expiry date has not changed on my Solent Go card?
-
If you already have a bus ticket on your card which is still valid the expiry date will not change. Your new bus ticket should show in the ‘Number of Stored Passes’ section as 1
Your new ticket will only be activated when your current ticket has expired and the card is presented on a bus ticket machine.
- How do I buy a Solent Go mobile ticket?
-
To buy your new Solent Go mobile tickets simply follow the instructions below.
Go to the App Store or Google Play on your smartphone and download the mobile ticket apps for Bluestar, First or Stagecoach.
Go to ‘buy tickets' and click on Solent Go travelcards
Day and weekly* tickets are available. Click on your preferred choice.
- Solent Regional
- Portsmouth City
- Southampton City
Follow the instructions (you'll need to register) and pay for your Solent Go travelcard with a credit or debit card. It’s that simple.
When you're ready travel you’ll need to activate your ticket. Show it to the driver on your smartphone when you board the bus and off you go.
With Solent Go you can travel on most bus operator services in South Hampshire.
Operator specific instructions can be found using the links below -
We're here to help, please read our FAQs
