This in on behalf of Southern Vectis. Ed
Southern Vectis has announced a revised timetable for its bus routes across the Island – with a large number of services changing from Sunday 15 March.
Many of the changes – particularly for route 1 – are the result of an extensive public consultation exercise, lasting more than a year.
Southern Vectis general manager, Matt Kitchin said,
“I am delighted to announce changes to our timetable – with many enhancements to the services we provide for those travelling with us across the Island.
“Current economic conditions make this a particularly challenging time for bus operators across the whole of the UK. But we have listened to our customers, invested more than £1 million, and are pleased to be providing improved services – many of them on a commercial basis.”
Key changes to the Southern Vectis timetable include the revised route 1, with new single and double deck buses. Buses on route 8 will leave every 30 minutes – from Newport as far as Sandown – from Saturday 23 May. Route 37 has been completely revised, beginning Sunday 15 March. There is a brand new St Cross Business Express service, beginning Tuesday 5 May.
Summary of changes:
Route 1
This route has been re-designed. There are two variations – with all journeys serving Cowes Park & Ride – and some journeys operated by our brand new double deck buses to provide additional capacity.
The two variations will each run every 15 minutes during the day from Monday to Saturday. On Sunday, they will run every 20 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes in the evening.
Journeys to the Red Jet terminal via Round House will be branded ‘Red1’ to differentiate the route and are timed to connect with arriving and departing Red Jets to Southampton.
The routes:
Newport – St Mary’s Hospital – Northwold – BAE Systems – Cowes Park & Ride – Three Gates Road – Round House – Cowes Red Jet Terminal. These journeys will be operated by brand new Enviro 200 midibuses branded as ‘Red1’ with a capacity of 50.
Newport – St Mary’s Hospital – Northwood – Nodes Road – Three Gates Road – Cowes Park & Ride – Newport Road – Victoria Road – Cowes Carvel Lane. These journeys will operated by double deck buses, providing more than double the amount of seats than previously – with a capacity of 93. During the evenings, we will also use our new E200 midibuses.
Route 2
An extra journey will run at 6.15pm from Newport to Ryde via Shanklin and Sandown in response to customer feedback. The 7.25am bus from Sandown to Newport will now start at Ryde at 6.55am. Due to increased demand, we are running an additional journey from Sandown to Newport at 7.45am on school days.
Route 3
The 9.40pm and 10.10pm journeys from Ryde to Newport are retimed to match rail connections at Shanklin
Route 4
Most journeys on Monday to Saturday are running earlier from Ryde to improve ferry connections at East Cowes.
Route 5
The 1am journey from East Cowes on Monday to Saturday will depart from directly outside the Red Funnel terminal – to improve connection from the late night ferry to bus. This journey on Sunday will run earlier, at 12.50am.
Route 8
From Saturday 23 May to Saturday 5 September, this route will run every 30 minutes during the day Monday to Saturday – between Newport and Sandown.
Route 9
Additional morning peak time journeys have been added from Ryde, with buses every 10 minutes from 7.10am. Times at Binstead, Wootton, Staplers and Medina Leisure Centre have been amended to improve reliability.
Route 12
The first journey of the day will be extended back to start from Totland at 7.25am on Monday to Saturday and 9.30am on Sunday. Following customer feedback, the 5.40pm service from Newport is extended beyond Brook to finish at Totland. This improves connections to and from Freshwater Bay.
Route34A
An additional bus will run a shortened route 34 (the 34A) on Tuesday, serving Wootton and Havenstreet.
Route 37
This route has been redesigned to cater for the new Ryde Community Clinic at Shackleton House. It will now operate a one way loop in a clockwise direction, serving Haylands, Ryde Community Clinic and Binstead, before returning to Ryde via the Community Clinic. This will result in the bus serving stops on the opposite side of the road through Haylands and Binstead.
St Cross Business Express
A new service linking Newport Bus Station to River Way & St Cross Industrial Estates – from Tuesday 5 May. This bus will provide three journeys each way at morning and afternoon peak times. There will also be a handy stop near the back of St Mary’s Hospital. The route is funded by the Local Sustainable Transport Fund for the first eleven months.
Needles Breezer
Our popular open-top Needles Breezer route will operate again this year, linking Yarmouth with Alum Bay and The Needles landmark attraction, via popular Freshwater Bay. Buses will run every 30 minutes – and the route includes the cliff-hugging, exhilarating ride up the Needles Battery, high on the cliff top.
The Needles Breezer will run every day from Saturday 14th March, through to Sunday 1 November.
Island Coaster
Our dinosaur liveried buses will be back for 2015, linking Ryde and Yarmouth via Bembridge, Dinosaur Isle, Isle of Wight Zoo, Shanklin, Ventnor, Blackgang Chine, Freshwater Bay and Alum Bay. Buses will start running on Friday 3 April – increasing service levels as we move into the holiday season.
Downs Breezer
All of the open-top Downs Breezer buses will be operating in an anti-clockwise direction this year. They will link Ryde with the Isle of Wight Steam Railway at Wootton, Robin Hill Adventure Park, Arreton Old Village, Amazon World, Sandown, Dinosaur Isle and Isle of Wight Zoo. The spectacular views across the Downs are a must. Buses will run every 30 minutes, everyday, between Saturday 23 May and Monday 31 August – except over the Isle of Wight Festival weekend.
Shanklin Steamer
The Steamer will run between Saturday 20 June and Monday 31 August, linking Shanklin Esplanade with the old village, hotels, bus and rail stations. Rail connections have been improved and journeys this year will be operated by a double deck open-top bus, offering better views of the coastline.
Routes 6,7,22,23,24,32,33,34,35,38 and 39 are unchanged.
To see the full timetable in more detail, please visit www.islandbuses.info
