The publication this morning (Wednesday) of the long-awaited Transport Infrastructure Task Force (TITF) report reveals recommendations for Island Line trains.
From 23 August this year, the franchise for Island Line will be in the hands of FirstGroup and MTR (as part of the wider South Western Franchise).
At the moment only one of the two services per hour connect with the ferry. Following discussions with stakeholders, IW Bus and Rail Users’ Group (IWBRUG) and KILF stated wished to see Island Line run a 30-minute schedule to meet onward connections across the Solent.
TITF recommendations
A number of recommendations have been made by the Task Force:
- In order to identify and develop options for reducing the cost of Island Line over the longer term the Council should work closely with First MTR, DfT Rail and Network Rail.
Collaboration will need to address the following:
- Resolution of the economic uncertainty of the Island Line;
- Provide for modernisation with new/up to date rolling stock;
- The future of the pier;
- Consider arrangements where the IOW steam railway could have access to Ryde St Johns Road;
- Modernisation of all stations;
- Provision of integrated travel information systems and smart ticketing options across different modes of travel;
- How improvements at Ryde Interchange could provide for access for Hovertravel passengers from a new platform layout at the station.
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To support the modernisation of the Island Line, including the introduction of a 30-minute
service frequency and investment in the future sustainability of Island Line. - Ensure Island Line remains part of the franchised National Rail Network.
MP: “We need to upgrade our Island’s gateways”
Isle of Wight Conservative MP, Bob Seely, said,
“I’m already working with the new operator to ensure that the Island Line is improved.
“As part of that, we need to upgrade our Island’s gateways, including our railway stations.”
Warm welcome by KILF
Keep Island Line in Franchise (KILF) the cross-party, community-led campaign to Keep the Island Line rail service in the South Western rail franchise, has warmly welcomed the recommendations from the Transport Infrastructure Task Force (TITF).
KILF campaigner David Pughsaid,
“By recommending that the Isle of Wight Council fully engages with First MTR (as the new operator) to bring about the modernisation of Island Line, the Taskforce has effectively endorsed the need for service to remain in the wider franchise. This is very welcome.
“It is particularly welcome in light of the Taskforce’s Chairman – Christopher Garnett – having stated in his earlier report on Island Line that ‘there does not appear to be any clear logical arguments for Island Line being part of a wider South Western Franchise’. This assertion caused much concern at the time, leading the IW Council to formally disagree with his conclusion in this regard.
“It is therefore a major step forward that Mr Garnett has not sought to replicate this view in the Taskforce’s work – nor propose, as before, an unworkable and impractical alternative of a tram – and has instead made a recommendation of working with the new operator of the wider franchise. This is a victory for KILF and all those who have campaigned since 2015 against the plans of the previous MP and his transport adviser to remove Island Line from the security of the wider franchise.”
Fellow campaigner, Cllr Chris Quirk (Shanklin South), added:
“As a member of the Isle of Wight Council, I look forward to working in support of these recommendations over the coming weeks and months. I endorse the Taskforce’s view that more modern rolling stock is needed, along with a half-hourly service and investment in the future sustainability of the line.
“The focus of the Council, its partners and the Island’s new MP must now be to persuade the Department for Transport to support First MTR’s proposals to deliver these improvements, and ensure that funding is made available – through adjustments to the franchise agreement – to take these forward in a timely manner.
“The KILF campaign does not stop here. Our efforts will now focus on securing the long-term future of Island Line through these improvements, and in doing so, making the line more sustainable.
“Our campaign has achieved a lot over the past couple of years – including getting the Government to back down on their plans to turn Island Line into a ‘separate, self-sustaining business’. We must now finish the job off – and secure a fit-for-purpose Isle of Wight rail service.”
Image: tompagenet under CC BY 2.0
