Following News OnTheWight’s feature about the No.31 bus service, councillors have reversed their decision to cease the twice a week service. Ventnor Town Councillors unanimously agreed tonight (Monday) to continue with the No.31 bus service.
The motion, brought to the town council by Cllr Brian Lucas (Bonchurch ward), saw councillors reverse a decision made earlier in the year to cease the service.
At the August meeting Ventnor Town councillors decided the service was too expensive for the number of people using it. However, as reported by News OnTheWight last month most passengers, in their 80s or 90s, told us that the twice a week service was a lifeline for them.
Passenger numbers up 24 per cent
Over the last couple of months the number of people using the bus has been increasing and at tonight’s meeting it was reported that October’s passenger numbers were up 24 per cent.
Under regular review
There was some discussion about the service being kept under regular scrutiny and that communication would take place with the service provider, Minibus Plus (operated by Tops Mops) to agree the community aspect of the service.
Welcome news
The news will be welcome to those who use the bus on Tuesdays and Fridays to get from Bonchurch and St Lawrence into Ventnor to use the shops, GP surgeries and dentists.
Image: kmsiever under CC BY 2.0
