It has been raised many times during the ongoing debate on the future of Island Line trains, that the current franchise holder claims less than £1 million revenue was achieved in the last year, despite advertising passenger numbers of 1.4 million.
Currently the lowest price ticket to travel a single stop, is £1.30. (The highest priced single, £4.40)
The revenue figure has often been quoted by MP Andrew Turner when discussing the future of Island Line.
Concerns raised at Consultation meetings
At the recent Department for Transport (DfT) consultation meeting on the Isle of Wight (read our live coverage), concerns over this discrepancy were raised once again.
How could it be possible for 1.4m passengers to use the line in the last year, but only £1m of revenue be recorded?
“Consistent basis” needed
Nigel Nuttall, the programme manager for the franchise bid, told those attending December’s consultation meeting the DfT were looking more closely at the figures provided by Stagecoach.
He said,
“We recognise there are some questions about that data and we are, as a department, looking into that and trying to establish a true baseline of information data and to be transparent about that, so that we can all move forward on a consistent basis rather than people espousing that it’s £2m, or £1m here or £1m there, we need to get to the facts so everybody can work of off that at that same baseline.
“We need to be there before we make decisions.”
Confirmed figures not forthcoming
However, when OnTheWight got in touch with the DfT last week, a spokesperson told us the confirmed costs and revenue figures would only be finalised in advance of the April tendering process.
The consultation closes on 9th February, meaning Islanders responding would be doing so without the correct baseline of revenue information being officially confirmed, including the suggested £2 million running costs.
A DfT spokesperson told OnTheWight,
“We are in no doubt that the Island Line needs to be put on a more sustainable footing for the future, and it is really important that passengers give us their views. We urge anyone who hasn’t responded to do so before the consultation closes on 9 February.
“Confirmed costs and revenues relating to the Island Line will be finalised in advance of the Invitation to Tender, which is due to be issued in April, so that potential industry bidders can factor them into their bids.”
Petition to Government
The Keep Island Line in Franchise (KILF) Group have launched a petition on the government’s Website calling to “Keep Island Line in South Western rail franchise; not a self-sustaining business”.
The online petition, which went live on Tuesday, has already attracted 150 signatures.
See the Petition details.
If you do decide to sign the petition, your signature will not be counted until you have replied to the automated email you will receive after entering your details.
Image: tompagenet under CC BY 2.0
