Residents of the Isle of Wight will be able to benefit from discounted bus fares this winter thanks to a scheme implemented by the Department for Transport (DfT).
Southern Vectis, the bus company serving the Island, has signed up to the scheme which will allow passengers to travel on any single journey across the Island for £2 or less from 1st January until 31st March 2023.
Wickham: A bus has the potential to take up to 75 cars off the road
Andrew Wickham, the managing director of Southern Vectis, said,
“We have long said that buses are the perfect solution to helping reduce congestion on our roads, and improving the air we breathe here on the Isle of Wight – so we are delighted the government is echoing this way of thinking.
“A bus has the potential to take up to 75 cars off the road, and we have ensured new vehicles added to our fleet in recent years are fitted with low emissions Euro 6 engines, to minimise their effects on the local environment.”
Worked hard to make bus travel an attractive option
Wickham added that the company has worked hard to make bus travel an attractive option for Island residents, with newer buses featuring comfortable seating and USB chargers for mobile phones and tablets, as well as “tap on, tap off” payment technology on board.
The discounted fares will be available on all buses, except the Needles Breezer, and can be paid for using any method, including contactless payment, the app, and cash.
£60 million investment
Buses Minister, Richard Holden, said,
“Bus travel remains the most popular form of public transport in England, making up around half of all journeys.
“That’s why we’re investing £60 million to cap single bus fares at £2 to support every passenger and help get people back on the bus.
“With the scheme set to take two million car journeys off the road, it’s fantastic to see so many bus operators signing up to the fare cap, helping people to ‘Get Around for £2’ between 1st January and 31st March.”
