City Clipper was a name for the short-lived bus service in Southampton. It was set up by two companies, Ocean Link and Princess Coaches in partnership to serve the Southampton city centre. Operations commenced on 23 April 2007, then ended six months later on 13 October 2007.
The routes had a frequency of every 15 minutes[2] and was operated solely by five Plaxton Primos.
Throughout the operation, the service was well publicised in the local papers, such as the Southern Daily Echo with free bus vouchers for the first week in operation. Tickets were then available for £1 single or £2 day ticket.[3]
The City Clipper routes competed in some areas with City Loop and City-Link free bus services, which commenced in September 2000 and funded by the City Council, Red Funnel and WestQuay.[4] Unlike the City Loop or City-Link passengers were required to pay a fixed fare.
City Clipper announced on 9 October 2007 that the service would end on 13 October 2007, the last bus being the 19:00 from Town Quay. The Managing Director blamed lack of financial support from a number of unnamed parties for the closure of the service, but said that passenger numbers were on target.[5]
