Improvements to the Island’s bus service will be looked for but not to the detriment of taxis – but taxi drivers say they are already seeing an impact with the loss of their rank due to the Ryde Interchange scheme.
In an enhanced partnership with the main bus operator Southern Vectis, the Isle of Wight Council has created a Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) in line with the government’s efforts to get more people using the buses. The partnership has been described as a ‘once in a generation opportunity’ and will help the authority bid for a part of £3billion funding to improve public transport.
As part of the BSIP, Southern Vectis has created a list of 116 things it would like to see happen to improve the service. This includes more bus lanes, reduced journey times and cheaper fares but also a bus lane running around Coppins Bridge — a hope which has already been squashed by the councillor in charge.
Concerns have been raised over Southern Vectis’s proposals by Desmond White, chair of the Isle of Wight Taxi Provider Association, who has said they have not been consulted.
Mr White has said in some instances there would be no place for taxis to go if Southern Vectis got its way. He has also said some changes are already affecting taxis, such as removal of some on-street parking, so they wanted a seat at the table to know what is going on and to have their voices heard.
In Ryde, taxi drivers are expressing their frustration about the removal of a 19-vehicle taxi rank when the Ryde Interchange scheme begins. Taxis will instead be on the other side of the road in a much smaller 7-vehicle bay, which will see the removal of on-street parking for members of the public.
Councillor Phil Jordan, cabinet member for infrastructure and transport, has said the council very much values what taxi drivers do. Cllr Jordan says it is just a list, nothing more than that, and that they have not even started discussions with Southern Vectis – but it is not a plan to deprive taxi operators.
The council has agreed with some items on Southern Vectis’s wishlist and has used it to influence 36 targets in the BSIP, addressing some of the service’s weaknesses, including:
- Reducing average bus journey times by 5 to 10% by 2025
- Introduce a bus priority scheme around the Island by 2040
- Increase the frequency of buses in rural areas to encourage 25% more bus journeys from rural locations by 2040
The BSIP will be formally submitted to the Government by the end of the month so it can be used to bid for funding allocations and help form the base of the enhanced partnership.
Perhaps we can now have our little bus back between St. Lawrence, Ventnor and Bonchurch which Ventnor Town Council is kindly stopping after tomorrow, Friday.
Obviously not making money on the route Why should the tax payer pay for a bus to lose money.. It is at the end of the day a business not a charity
Perhaps you would like to go and get your shopping when you can’t drive and the shops are 3 miles away. And I am a tax payer so why shouldn’t I have it spent on a local bus service? No doubt you either have a car or live on a bus route.
Taxis are far too expensive. £20 for a return trip from St lawrence to Ventnor for example
Yes, It’s ridiculous to be talking taxis when considering bus services, I’m sure they have their problems and provide a service but they are not a public service in normal circumstances.
Price of a day return 2 adults and a 14 and 15 year old..Ryde to Newport?
By 2040 !!! That’s really ambitious. Do it NOW.
Buses need pull-ins to stop holding traffic up when loading/dropping passengers. The journey from Ryde to Newport is loaded with bus stops which hold up traffic. Wootton for instance has 4 bus stops for about 300 yds stretch of road. The council need to look at alternatives to buses and cars to cope with; what will be, a large increase in traffic.
Desperately need bus for Havenstreet!
I not have a car and those that do have cars would catch bus if it goes through Havenstreet.
Cannot afford taxi to take me to Newport and Freshwater etc.
Bring back the Bus!
The Taxi rank in Ryde used to be near the Toilets and the Café if I remember it held 23 to 25 Taxis, the council moved it, to its present location and reduced the spaces to 19, now it’s going to be 7. Has the Council forgotten the revenue it gets from the licencing of Taxis ?? Someone stated Taxis are expensive against bus prices “really” What hasn’t been mentioned is the bus company’s receive subsidies from various departments from the council to the government, and they also receive a fuel duty rebate.
Taxis pay the same for fuel as everyone ells. And you can get a Taxi to pick you up at your door, at a time you want and deliver you to any
Unknown why the Taxi needs 19 vehicle area… hardly ever one there when need one.. even 7 is too many.. They do not own any road space.. they are no different than the food delivery vehicles, only they carry people and bags etc… Do not see any places solely for foos deliveries do you ?? They pull up anywhere.. just like taxi’s !!
Less Taxi’s more buses and cheaper fares..