It’s been confirmed today (Tuesday) that the Go Ahead group – the parent company of Southern Vectis – has now placed their order for electric buses for the Isle of Wight.
The 22 new electric double-decker buses will be built at Ballymena in Northern Ireland by Wrightbus for delivery to the Island from early 2026.
Funding approved
In March this year, it was announced that Southern Vectis and Isle of Wight council’s bid for funding from the Department of Transport’s latest ZEBRA (Zero Emission Bus Regional Area) scheme was successful.
At the time, Richard Tyldsley, Southern Vectis general manager, said,
“The funding, combined with additional investment from Southern Vectis and Isle of Wight Council, means a total of £12.7m will be used to revolutionise our routes 1, 5 and 9.”
IWBRUG: Very pleased funding problem has now been resolved
Stuart George from IW Bus and Rail Users’ Group told OnTheWight,
“The IW Bus and Rail Users’ Group has been pressing Southern Vectis to introduce electric buses for several years now, but the barrier has always been the increased cost of electric vehicles.
“We’re very pleased that, with the ZEBRA funding, this problem has now been resolved.”
Test run
In May 2024, two electric double decker demonstrator buses visited the Island, giving passengers a chance to glimpse into the future.
Article edit
12.35pm 9th Oct 2024 – IWBRUG comment added
