Southern Vectis has closed its ‘Scrap My Motor’ scheme, that previously enabled Isle of Wight residents to swap their old car, scooter, moped or van for a year’s bus pass.
VentnorBlog discovered at the start of May that the scheme’s Website had been made inaccessible.
Launched in October 2009 to much fanfare, it was also a contributing factor in them winning Bus Operator of the Year 2011.
Closure “due to increasing cost”
Ed Wills, Operations Director for Southern Vectis, said “Although 101 vehicles have been swapped for bus travel since the scheme was launched in 2009 we feel that the funds required to manage the scheme can be better allocated to support other innovate schemes to reduce cars dependency on the Island.”
He said the decision was made due to the close the scheme was made, “due to the increasing cost of its administration and the disposing of the vehicles.”
Long delay to VB questions
VB contacted the press office of the Southern Vectis’ parent company, Go Ahead Group, back at the beginning of May after we discovered that the ScrapMyMotor Website was unavailable. Despite reminders, the company has only just replied with the quotes today.
Many recent changes
There have been a number of changes at Southern Vectis of late with Marc Morgan Huws transferring away from the Island bus service unexpectedly in March, then leaving the company altogether at the end of April.
Update: 31.05.12:
Southern Vectis have advised VB that ceasing the car scrappage scheme has ‘no connection’ with the departure of Marc Morgan-Huws.
Image: WikiMedia under a GNU Free Documentation License
