The Isle of Wight’s ruling administration has confirmed Island bus fares will go up to £3 and that there will be no extra subsidies, including for the Island’s youth.
The Isle of Wight Youth Council asked at Wednesday’s Full Council meeting whether a discounted pass could be introduced for students and apprentices in response to the considerable new cost of bus travel – even though the £3 fare will still be cheaper than local bus travel in the past.
A representative of the Youth Council said that a round trip from home to school now can cost as much as £12, in a week that’s £60 and in a month that’s £240. They called for the introduction of a discounted or subsidised bus pass for students and apprentices in order to relieve the financial burden.
Councillor Jonathan Bacon, cabinet member for children’s services, education and corporate functions, said in response:
“It is correct that national bus fares have been capped at £3 from January 2025 to December 2025.
“And the current £2 cap will run out on December 31 this year. At this time there is no internal or external funding available for the Isle of Wight Council to utilise for subsidising local bus fares following the government’s decision to amend the current fare cap.
“I’m sure it is appreciated that the Isle of Wight, like many other local authority areas, is continuing to face budgetary pressures and meeting these through further planned savings over the coming years.
“However, following the recent announcement from government over the weekend regarding funding for local bus services which specifically referenced the Isle of Wight, the council is set to receive additional funding from government of around £1.8 million which can be spent on capital and revenue projects.
Article continues below this advertisement “Working with the bus provider, Southern Vectis, and through the bus services improvement plan arrangement which is already in place, we will be looking to improve the overall bus services Island-wide with potential enhancements to include more service routes, increased frequency along some routes, real-time information provision and consideration of further subsidies where they may be best utilised.”
Cllr Bacon added the council will work on the improvement plan in the next weeks and months.
A paper will be presented to the cabinet ‘around January next year’ for it to consider putting improvements into practice.
Still cheaper to drive, especially in the cold
weather too.
Wow! I’d never have imagined that colder weather would make it cheaper to drive. I wonder how that works?
Don’t drive too far and sit in the motor with the
Heater on.
Family of 4, £12 on the Bus, not as much in an
EV
Lol
Yes, how does that work exactly? Taking into account insurance, petrol, MOT, wear and tear. Don’t forget the cost of parking to0
Who pays parking charges, if the warden rocks
up, just drive off.
So, you do not pay parking charges? Maybe you also do not pay for MOT or Insurance either. That would make your initial claim that it is cheaper to drive correct. Thank you for clarifying. Why not make it even cheaper and do not pay the bus fare either? Oh hang, that would be a crime and you would be banged up for Xmas so you would never do it again. That seems your usual solution to crime.
Got to pay for all the 1000s of illegals coming over costing us billions a year now..watch the numders drop now..well done starlin..
And the K ings £45,000,000.00 pay increase