Road to success for University's bus service :: Wessex Scene Online

Road to success for University's bus service

24th June 2002

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Mar 02 - Uni-Link sucks - scream stricken students
Oct 03 - Is Uni-Link Breaking Down?
May 08 - Uni Link’s Bleak Future
Oct 03 - Students Stranded
May 03 - Award for University's cycling promotion scheme

The University of Southampton's bus service, Uni-link which serves students and the local community, has scooped a top transport award for innovation.

Uni-link won the Innovation Award at the national Interchange 2002 Conference. The bus service was praised for its 'flexibility in adapting the service to suit the real needs of the students and to keep re-appraising these needs so as to develop the scheme.' The University was also praised for its bravery in deciding to go ahead and commission its own bus service.

Uni-link connects the main University campuses with the city centre, hospital and railway stations. A fleet of new buses was recently introduced, together with a flat fare of Ł1 for any distance.

Uni-link is also a leading promoter of the Southampton Smart City Card-which impressed the award's judges.

The University's Transport Manager, John Waugh, is delighted with the award for Uni-link: 'This is a tremendously satisfying recognition of the University's commitment to helping the travel needs of the whole community,' he said. 'It is also a tribute to the drivers who are employed by our partner operator, Accord, and whose adaptability and willingness to offer a new type of service is also recognised in this award.'

'Our services have become so popular with the public that we are increasingly offering services that change very little throughout the year. We recognise too that Southampton's night time economy is growing and are pleased to see the extension of the Nightlink services which the University has pioneered.'