This in from Paula on behalf of Southern Vectis. Ed
Southern Vectis has taken on board customer feedback from a recent survey and made changes to many routes, including diverting route 7 via the villages of Newbridge and Calbourne.
Southern Vectis surveyed more than 500 customers on route 7 who suggested a host of improvements, many of which have been incorporated into the new timetable.
Most popular suggestion
The most popular suggestion was to divert one bus an hour in each direction via the villages of Newbridge and Calbourne. And this suggestion is being put into practice by Southern Vectis as a trial for the summer months.
Southern Vectis general manager, Matt Kitchin said,
“In response to the survey, we have looked very closely at our offering – to see where we can make improvements. And I’m happy to announce a new timetable will come into effect on Sunday 4 May.
“The road network is always changing – so our timetables need to adapt to reflect the road conditions and the potential delays en-route.”
Summary of changes:
Route 1
No changes to daytime journeys. The last nightbus on Friday and Saturday nights will be 03:15 from Newport and 03:26 from Cowes.
Routes 2/3
Additional time in both directions throughout the day and evenings. As a result of this the times of many journeys will change. Additional morning journeys between Ryde and Sandown in both directions following customer requests.
Early morning journeys from Whiteley Bank will now start from Godshill, giving more early morning journeys for commuters from Godshill to Ryde. The last night bus on Friday and Saturday nights will be 02:45 from Newport (as far as Sandown) and 02:40 from Ryde to Newport.
Route 4
Revised running time throughout the route, as a result of this the times of many journeys will change by a few minutes. 23:05 journey from Ryde replaced by through journey on route 9 and continuing as route 5. Route in Ryde to be diverted via Dover Street and Melville Street. Following customer requests an additional journey will depart Ryde at 08:59 on Sunday mornings to East Cowes.
Route 5
Revised running time throughout the route, as a result of this the times of many journeys will change by a few minutes. There are now improved early morning connections with route 9 for customers travelling from East Cowes to Ryde following customer feedback.
Night buses on Friday and Saturday nights will now depart at 01:45 and 02:45 from Newport and 01:59 and 02:59 from East Cowes.
Route 6
Following the long term closure of the Undercliff all route 6 journeys will now run via Whitwell on a permanent basis. Journeys will alternate between looping around Niton to serve the Buddle Inn and looping around Whitwell to serve Bannock Road.
Both the Buddle Inn and Bannock Road, Whitwell loops have been instigated in recent months following customer requests.
Revised running time throughout the route, as a result of this the times of many journeys will change by a few minutes.
Route 7
Journeys currently calling at Thorley and Wellow will also serve Newbridge and Calbourne instead of Shalfleet. Journeys via Cranmore will continue to serve Shalfleet. Revised running time throughout the route, as a result of this the times of many journeys will change by a few minutes.
An additional journey from Newport to Totland will run on Mondays to Saturdays departing at 07:00 and calling at Yarmouth at 07:33 in time to connect with the 07:50 ferry.
An additional journey will start from Alum Bay to Newport at 18:35 daily. The above changes are as a direct result of customer feedback. On Sunday evenings the frequency between Newport and Totland will be hourly from 20:10 to reflect reduced demand at this time.
Night buses on Friday and Saturday nights will now depart at 00:20 and 02:20 from Newport and 23:53, 00:53 and 02:53 from Totland.
Route 8
Revised running time throughout the route, as a result of this the times of many journeys will change by a few minutes and journeys from Newport will depart at 40 minutes past each hour during the day.
Route 9
Revised running time throughout the route, as a result of this the times of many journeys will change by a few minutes. Route in Ryde to be diverted via Dover Street and Melville Street.
Some early morning and late evening journeys have been combined with buses running every 20 minutes before 07:00 and every 30 minutes after 22:00 on Sunday evenings. Times of early morning journeys have been changed to improve connections with route 5 for customers travelling from East Cowes (route 5) to Ryde as a result of customer feedback.
Night buses on Friday and Saturday nights will now depart at 01:05 and 02:15 from Newport and 01:45 and 02:45 from Ryde.
Route 21
Withdrawn and replaced by improved Route 7
There are no changes to routes 12, 22, 23, 24, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38 or 39.
To see the full timetable in more detail, please visit www.islandbuses.info
