New buses have appeared on the streets of Dorset, providing vital services to the town’s universities and the local community.

Bournemouth University (BU) and Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) are continuing their partnership with Morebus with a fleet of new buses.

The Unibus service offers students, staff and the local community routes from Talbot Campus through to Lansdowne and onto Poole and Southbourne.

The buses in BU livery highlight the key strengths of the university and the stories and people at its heart.

They include BU’s commitments to:

• Help people live better for longer
• Protect and preserve a sustainable environment
• Help prepare for, and recover from, crises
• Challenge marginalisation, misinformation and under-representation
• Help creative industries and cultural heritage to thrive
• Act as a catalyst for growth in the region.

The projects featured include BU’s Orthopaedic Research Institute and the university’s work with artificial reefs in Poole Harbour.

Through the vibrant and playful Wingdings font, AUB’s three new bus liveries explore creative industries enriched by its graduates, including fields of art, design, media and performance.

Jim Andrews, Chief Operating Officer at Bournemouth University, pictured left, said, “The Unibus service has provided a sustainable travel service for our staff and students, and the whole local community for many years.

“We are proud to be a part of our region, and this significant investment in new buses is a part of our commitment to sustainability.

“The messages on the side share some of BU’s strengths and how we are supporting our community locally, nationally and internationally through our academic activity.

“Our hope is that the next time you spot a bus, you take the time to have a look on our website and share our pride in some of the brilliant activities taking place in our region.”

James Jackson, Environment and Sustainability Manager at AUB, pictured right, said: “AUB is delighted to continue working in partnership with Bournemouth University and Morebus to deliver a first-rate bus service for students, staff, and the wider community.

“Facilitating community movement, where self-propelled isn’t an option and car journeys are reduced, allows a community to connect and improves wellbeing.

“The lower emissions from the latest Euro 6 buses will contribute to improving air quality and AUB’s net zero ambitions in the immediate and long-term future.”

Andrew Wickham Morebus Managing Director, said: “We’re very proud of our continued partnership with Bournemouth University and Arts University Bournemouth, and of this latest investment in new buses to operate the Unibus route.

“I hope those who travel with us will agree that these impressive new state-of-the-art ADL Enviro 400 double decker buses – with USB chargers for smart devices, free WiFi and the very latest low emissions Euro 6 engine – offer a superior level of comfort.

“The aim is to make sustainable transport a more attractive proposition, in order to entice people out of their cars.

“One full double decker bus can take up to 75 cars off the road – and this investment is a huge step in that direction, as there will now be 15 such vehicles in the Unibus fleet.”

Lauren Duff, Travel and Transport Manager at Bournemouth University, said “The Unibus service has been a vital part of Bournemouth University’s Travel Plan for a number of years and the introduction of the new fleet of Euro 6 buses is the next step in reducing the impact of travel activities while continuing to support public transport accessibility in the community.

“Prior to the pandemic, the service delivered over one million passenger journeys each year and I am confident we will surpass this again this year.

“The new fleet looks great and I am excited for our new and returning students, as well as staff and the public, to experience the new buses and their features”

The local community are also able to offer the bus service, with information about routes and times available on the Unibus website here.