The Isle of Wight Council has unveiled ambitious plans for improvements to bus travel, including a £1 fare for Under 21s and the introduction of bus priority signals at busy junctions.
A series of initiatives have been revealed under the 2024 Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) in what is described as a significant move towards improving public transport.
Recognising the vital role buses play in the Island’s transport infrastructure, the council is committed to supporting and influencing the commercial network – run by Southern Vectis – to benefit both residents and visitors.
Key highlights of the 2024 BSIP include:
• Introduction of electric buses: 22 new electric buses will start operating in 2026, marking a significant step towards sustainable public transport.
Reduction in journey times: Bus priority measures at signalised junctions will reduce journey times over the next 18 months.
• Affordable fares: With the end of the government-funded £2 capped single fare scheme, the council is considering reducing bus fares on shorter journeys, including a potential £1.50 fare for Newport Town bus routes 37, 38, and 39.
• Youth discounts: A £1 flat fare for Under 21s is being considered to encourage bus travel among young people.
• Mobility hubs: New hubs will offer e-bikes and e-scooters to help passengers complete their journeys.
• Improved accessibility and safety: More hardstanding areas, better lighting, and additional CCTV will enhance safety and accessibility at bus stops.
The updated plan follows the original BSIP submission to the Department for Transport (DfT) in October 2021, which secured £590,000 in Phase 2 funding for 2023/24 and 2024/25. These funds have been instrumental in enhancing local bus services.
In January 2024, the Government issued new BSIP guidance, requiring all Local Transport Authorities to submit an updated plan. This updated BSIP must report on changes and progress since the 2021 submission and outline a high-level initiative programme for 2025-29, contingent on further external funding such as further BSIP allocations or developer contributions.
Council Leader and Cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, Councillor Phil Jordan, has said:
“Buses are vital part of Island life – for our local communities and users, and for our schools, towns, the local economy and the environment.
“The positive vision for buses outlined in the National Bus Strategy is something we are very enthusiastic about. We are committed to translating this vision to the Isle of Wight, ensuring a sustainable and efficient bus service for all.
“The additional external funding has been and will continue to be vital in supporting the Island’s bus services. All these measures and more are part of our package of further improving public transport on the Isle of Wight.”
‘offer e-bikes and e-scooters to help passengers complete their journeys’
Great, I can just see grandma completing her journey on an e-scooter.
Or, do they mean for the kids who use the e-scooters without having a driving licence? Is it a good idea to enable and encourage children to break the law?
From 1st January 2025, e-scooter riders must be aged 18 years or over and have at least a provisional licence. This must be scanned and sent to the e-scooter operator. I find these e-scooters a menace as much as anybody else, but the rules seem to be tighter now, and hopefully we won’t see the 16-18 age group using them, as this age group seem to be the reckless riders. Nevertheless, these scooters are difficult to see in the dark or when it’s raining, and if you should accidently collide with one, the new hierarchy of vehicles means that the larger vehicle (car) will automatically have to take responsibility for any injury or damage, whoever is at fault. Your insurance will then go through the roof and a civil court case (no win, no fee) will almost certainly take place. Depressing isn’t it?
Why is the tax payer funding this? Southern vectis are a privately owned company. They should be funding these ventures out of the profits they make. Not the council/tax payer. It beggers belief that we’ve got no money for schools or the homeless but we have for Southern vectis.
So, let me see…
The IoW Council are forever screaming poverty and the need for cut, cut, cut, but, as per usual, when it’s a harebrained scheme that someone in the Council thinks is a good idea, the Magic Money Tree (aka the ACTUAL Council Tax Payers) produces funds!
No, not the magic money tree but all those increased parking charges! Council are not allowed to use those funds for general spending only on parking, transport & bus subsidies etc. so not the ACTUAL Council Tax Payers!
Why cheaper fir under 21s? Do they share seats. Discrimination at all leavels.
the busses take to long to get from A to B
so not worth using in most cases
What about repairing all the pot holes?
So it was £2 now £3 so less people will use it now..
In Sussex I read they are only charging users £1
they decreased their prices, unlike the island who put their
prices up.
Van for me, much cheaper in the long run.
Still trying to re invent the wheel, people do not like buses, the vast majority do not use buses, so why continue to flog a dead horse.
‘The plan is to get vehicles off the road’
I am surprised IW Council are not implementing
a congestion charge fee for vehicles entering Newport.
Implementing islandwide parking permit charges
and double parking fees for Diesel vehicles.
London plus many other councils have done so, it is
only a matter of time before IW Council do the same.
Soon we will all be travelling by bus, all part of their
net zero nonsense.