Buses will continue to run at normal levels across the Isle of Wight, despite the Government’s latest COVID-19 restrictions.
Southern Vectis has been operating a full service timetable for several months and current plans are to continue providing transport for all those who need to travel across the island.
Andrew Wickham, Managing Director of Southern Vectis
“We know many of those living and working within our community – whether they are NHS, supermarket staff, carers or other keyworkers – are still relying on us to get them to work.
“So, just as we have done during previous lockdown measures, we will continue to serve them by operating a full bus service here on the Isle of Wight. The special measures we introduced months ago are designed to ensure that public transport is still one of the safest places to be.
“Our team makes sure every bus is cleaned regularly with anti-viral wipes, and there are on-board hand sanitisers for our customers to use. We ask those travelling with us to continue wearing face coverings, unless they are exempt.
“These are challenging times for us all, and I would like to thank my colleagues – who themselves are keyworkers – for their incredible resilience and dedication. Without their efforts, many of those who carry out vital roles within our local community would be unable to travel.
“With this in mind, Southern Vectis will continue to provide a comprehensive bus service here. We are, of course, monitoring government guidelines closely – and we are ready to adapt our offering wherever and whenever this is deemed necessary.”
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For detailed timetable information visit islandbuses.info.
Sorry but if you can’t, or won’t, wear a face covering then you don’t go in a bus. Full stop.
Because people of all ages can’t / won’t we have stopped using the buses for our safety.
And as for the person seen at the bus station, smoking, supporting a ‘no face covering’ lanyard, all under a no smoking sign of course……
I totally agree, but I use the buses I’ve no other choice as a key worker I’m utterly greatful to southern vectis for this and I’ve never seen the buses cleaner and had no issues through all the lockdowns. As always the sole mess up is down to the government they issue guidelines not laws so it leaves it wide open for abuse companies are unable to enforce any of the face covering rules i’ve complained at various locations not just the buses but each time they say its down to the police to enforce it but you never see any police around and they have enough on thier plate anyway. you can get an exemption card from anywhere they even have loads of different downloadable templates on the government website so anyone can be exempt it’s a joke. What should of been done is those with genuine health problems who are genuinely exempt should of been issued a special exemption card from their GP with hologram and photo this would sort out genuine from fakers & p**s takers and then make it law with large fine for those who don’t have said card then have no face covering no travel or entry to anywhere no if, buts or excuses
Couldn’t agree more! Fed up with the smoking, arrogant, smug, rough, ‘exempt’ brigade. How can there be SO MANY of them on one small island?
As an Islander living in Newport,i have not used the bus for some months now.I have medical issues which means i must remain within my home area,(Cancer).But the bus service on the island are needed,as they help key workers/NHS to /from places of work..But i fully agree we must all follow goverment instructions,so yes a mask is required ,What is wrong as i do ,wear a mask as soon as leave home ,and only remove when back indoors,its not hard and it saves other passengers getting affected,plus spacing on the bus is also easy.I was a Coach tour driver and bus driver before retired.The drivers have a hard enough to deal with without problems with passengers ,they are thier to help you all,and key workers.So remember Mask on when shut door of home,keep mask on ,and spacing on buses.Its not hard and could help infections to get low again,Nothing hard all too easy .So help all by following regulations .