A HAMPSHIRE bus operator is investing millions in a new fleet of buses as it expands its service on key routes.

Bluestar, which operates a number of key routes across Southampton and surrounding areas, has ordered 20 new vehicles at a cost of £3.2million.

This comes as it rolls out changes to a number of bus services, including an increased service on a flagship route.

The single and double decker buses are due to be delivered at the end of October or early November.

The company said the move was in response to what bus users had told them they wanted to see.

Andrew Wickham, managing director of Bluestar, said this was the firm’s biggest ever single investment in vehicles.

“These brand new British-built buses will provide comfort, reliability and more seats for those travelling with us,” he said.

“They will also deliver exceptional performance and offer environmental benefits – including lower emissions.”

Bluestar has also announced revisions to its timetable, after taking on board customer feedback.

These will be introduced from next Sunday.

A key change is its Bluestar 1 service between Southampton, Chandlers Ford and Winchester.

This will now run every 15 minutes instead of every 20 minutes outside peak times and more frequently than at present at peak times.

There will be extra buses to ease the busy afternoon journeys from Winchester to help customers and students from Peter Symonds College.

Buses will leave Winchester at 4.45pm, 4.55pm and 5.10pm.

“We are introducing new vehicles and increasing the frequency from every 20 minutes to up to every 15 because we know how important this route is for students at Peter Simmonds College and others commuting between Southampton and Winchester,” said Mr Wickham.

“As an added enhancement to the Bluestar 1 we are also sending the peak journeys into Winchester railway station - which we know will be attractive to commuters."

“We have looked very closely at our offering here - to see where we can make improvements.”

Bluestar says it has also made changes or added services to improve high frequency routes, the Bluestar 18, Bluestar 5 to Romsey and waterside routes, to make them more reliable and on time.

The firm says it has worked to significantly improve the length of time it takes to pay for and use its payment smart card.

In the past bus users had to wait 48 hours to use them but Bluestar’s efforts mean that waiting time has been reduced to three hours.