Bus passengers on the Isle of Wight will continue to be able to travel on a single journey across the island for £2 or less until 31st October 2023, it has been announced.
Southern Vectis signed up to the Department for Transport (DfT) initiative – which restricts the cost of a single ticket – at the beginning of the year. An essential part of the Government’s Help for Households scheme, the fare cap was originally set to end on 31st March but has now been extended for the 2nd time.
The extension means that Isle of Wight bus users will be able to travel on any single journey on any of the operator’s buses – except the Breezers and school routes – for £2 or less. They can also use any payment method – including tap on, tap off contactless, the app, and cash.
Andrew Wickham, Managing Director of Southern Vectis, says:
“I am delighted to confirm that Southern Vectis will continue to offer the £2 fare cap – in line with the government’s announcement that the initiative will be extended.
“It will allow us to continue offering low-cost bus fares and it will help to protect many routes relied upon by local people.
“The aim, in the long term, is to encourage more people to shift their travel habits from using their cars to taking more sustainable methods of transport. One double decker bus has the potential to take up to 75 cars off our roads – and that can have a significant effect on the quality of air we breathe here on the Isle of Wight.”
All we need is a similar scheme applied to cross Solent travel!
Very true.
Fuel is getting cheaper, yet Ferry Fares are increasing.
It’s about time Ferry Fares were reduced.
It would be a great idea if the IW MP helped locals get Ferry Fares reduced.
Ryde bus station to Tesco is £2 and a distance of 2.6 miles – that is 76p a mile.
someone travelling on the fastcat 5 days a week, for work, using an annual season card, pays £4.20 per trip – distance from ryde to portsmouth by fastcat is about 5 miles and works out at 84p a mile
not much difference when you look at it that way and if southern vectis was charging the full fare, it would actually be more expensive on the bus, per mile for the above journey
I had no idea the Fastcat was great value.
Hovertravel charge a fortune and the Car Ferries charge extorninate charges.
Crooks are fairer.
Ventnor to Ryde bus station is 12.4 miles and it also costs £2, which works out at 16p per mile. Bus wins you clown!
Really Mr Peter, someone made an observation on a specific journey, not a general coverall for all routes undertaken by Southern Vectis, however, instead of realising that and making an adult contribution to the discussion, you insult the person by calling them a clown – are you actually for real or do you struggle with adult conversation.
The original comparison was ridiculous and I simply highlighted the fact by giving another ridiculous comparison that highlighted buffoonery on offer. The original comparison can hardly be called “adult” because it was so childish.
This is brilliant myself and my daughters walk into newport town 3 times a week. We get all the shopping we need and sometimes it’s a struggle to carry all back to its usually a quick call for a taxi. £15 later we home in comfort. However does end up expensive so we’ve been using the bus £2 offer and it’s saved us a fortune.
really, how much food are you eating, that requires all of you to travel to town three times a week and buy up so much each time. why don’t you get a bigger order in one go, with home delivery – cheaper still.
All that frozen crap from Iceland weighs a ton!
Especially all the super-sized pizzas!
Perhaps our current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak should stop using a helicopter to travel around and start using the bus. He will understand how non millionaires have to live. They are putting the fares up later in the year. But of course this won’t affect him!!!!!!!
the jealousy of success oozes from every bitter pore in your being, sunshine
Sunak is not successful he inherited money get your facts straight before you insult people with valid arguments
and another turns up that oozes jealousy at the success or “good fortune” of others
instead of being bitter and jealous, whilst wallowing in your own self pity, make an effort in your life
Why oh why this government continues to subsidise the proletariat I’ll never know…..oh yes, it’s called buying votes with public money isn’t it.
Yet another totally unfunny comment from Blob Squealey. Give it up and get back to boring your neighbours with your witless repartee.
Poor old IW Council, losing revenue from car parking as people use the bus.