Many thanks to Stuart George from the IW Bus Users Group for details of price changes on the Island buses. Great to see that most prices remain the same. Ed
Southern Vectis have announced a fares increases from Saturday 1 May, which they say is largely due to the continuing long delay in deciding the result of their appeal against the level of recompense paid to them by the IW Council for the pensioners’ concessionary fares scheme for the year 2008/09.
Only two fares are affected: The current £3.00 fare will rise to £3.50 and the £4.00 maximum fare will rise to £4.50.
All other fares, including Rover and Freedom tickets, remain unchanged.
There are some ways passengers may be able to avoid these increases.
Southern Vectis Freedom tickets will often be cheaper for passengers using bus services two or three times a week.
Through tickets
Also many people are unaware that both Southern Vectis and Wightbus issue through tickets between any two stops on the Island, available on each other’s services and however many times you need to change buses, and the maximum fare of £4.50 (but only £4.00 if the first bus is a Wightbus service) will still apply.
Nightbus
Just ask for a ticket to your final destination when you get on the first bus. If going out after 1900, a NightRider ticket will still cost £4.00 and gives unlimited travel until 0700 next morning.
Family Rover
Southern Vectis have also made a change to their definition of a family when buying Family Rover or Freedom tickets.
Previously a family was up to 2 adults + up to 3 children; it’s now up to 5 people of any age travelling together.
On Sundays, Island residents only can buy a Family 24-Hour Rover ticket for half price at £10.00. To get the half price ticket you will need to show proof of residency – a utility bill, driving licence or bank statement are all accepted.
Wightbus comparison
Wightbus services are cheaper than Southern Vectis services and issue cheap return tickets so that, for instance, if travelling between Ventnor and Shanklin, Southern Vectis service 3 will cost £7.00 for a return journey, whereas a return ticket on Wightbus service 16 will cost just half that at £3.50, but remember service 16 doesn’t run after 1800 or on Sundays.
