The traditionally decorated Santa Bus has returned to the city to offer festive fun and help raise funds for the Winchester Hospice charity.

A single decker bus has received a Christmas makeover and will be driven by Santa or the Elf. 

The bus has been especially decorated by staff at the Winchester depot and will be seen across the local network where passengers, young and old, can enjoy festive music as they travel. 

Pete Robinson, operations manager for Stagecoach in Winchester said: “We are delighted to run our Santa bus again, which has become a family favourite every year, and we have received fantastic feedback from everyone who travelled on board.”

The Santa bus will be in operation across the network serving city estates such as Stanmore, Harestock, Winnall and Springvale as well as destinations further afield until Christmas Eve and passengers will have the opportunity to make a donation to the Winchester Hospice.

READ MORE: University of Winchester expert helps create BBC Moodboosters

This year Stagecoach introduced a new Christmas themed exterior livery for the 2022 season.

Gordon Frost, managing director for Stagecoach South said that the traditionally decorated Santa Bus, complete with festive music and gifts for children, has always proved popular with customers, particularly families at this time of year.

He said: “Our Santa bus has become a great tradition for the local communities served. We are delighted to be supporting the Winchester Hospice and I’m sure that our customers will be pleased knowing that they have helped raise such an amazing amount for a great cause.
"I am extremely grateful to all our local teams, especially our 'Santa' and 'Elves' who will play a huge part in the continued success by taking the Christmas themed buses out and about in all their twinkling glory, raising money for charity."