Many thanks to Stuart George from the IW Bus Users Group for this latest report on changes to bus services on the Island from September – Ed
Several weeks ago Southern Vectis advised the Isle of Wight Council of their intention to withdraw all buses west of a line from Ventnor – Carisbrooke – Cowes, with the exception of a very limited direct service between Newport & Yarmouth, and to reduce or withdraw many other services on the rest of the Island.
Council failed to respond
As we understand it, the council failed to respond to this advice and consequently last Wednesday the company registered the cuts with the traffic commissioners.
The council then stepped in to try to rescue the situation and have now agreed to finance some very limited services in the south and west of the Island, although these will generally start later than at present and there will be no evening services.
Calbourne & Newbridge – No service
However Calbourne & Newbridge will no longer have any bus services at all and Porchfield & Newtown will only have a bus on Tuesdays & Thursdays.
Number 6 hit
The number 6 was due for withdrawal but the council is funding a “one-bus” service.
First one from Ventnor will be 0932 (currently 0732 which will in future start from Whitwell at 0748), then 1132, 1432, 1632.
From Newport at 0835, 1035, 1335, 1535 (last one through to Ventnor), then 1745 which currently runs to Ventnor but which will terminate at Whitwell from September.
More to come on changes to other bus services around the Island.
