AREAS of Southampton with pre-existing bus services will be served by Bluestar, the company has confirmed. 

The bus operator has stepped in after City Red, owned by First Bus, announced its upcoming departure from the city in February.

According to the company, the services will be very similar to how it is now, but the routes may have different numbers and the buses, as expected, will be blue.

READ MORE: Bluestar steps in as City Red cuts all bus services in Southampton

Bluestar will issue new timetables "in plenty of time" so bus users will be able to familiarise themselves with the buses that cover their area.

Exact details are expected to be released in due course. 

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