Electric buses, more rural services and possibly subsidised fares are some of the Isle of Wight Council’s aims as it strengthens its ties with Southern Vectis.
Ambitious steps to enhance public transport across the Island were approved by Cabinet members this week (16 June).
The government’s £3 billion Bus Back Better scheme aims to improve services and create greener, more flexible travel options for communities.
As part of the scheme, councils must commit to enter ‘Enhanced Partnerships’ with local bus operators by the end of March 2022.
The Isle of Wight Council will now work to produce a Bus Services Improvement Plan (BSIP), with the aim of having it in place by the end of October.
Councillor Phil Jordan, Cabinet member for infrastructure and transport, said:
“This decision could mean simpler and cheaper ticketing for users across a more integrated travel network on the Island.
“I welcome the opportunity to work with our local bus operators, local businesses and residents to achieve this aim of a greener, more flexible transport options to meet the needs of our local communities.”
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It is hoped that the plan will also deliver more carbon-friendly buses, simpler pricing and a more joined-up network so passengers can easily switch between different types of transport.
Under the scheme, the council will work with local bus operators to improve routes and flexible passenger experiences — encouraging and enabling more sustainable travel choices and fewer car trips.
The BSIP will also identify where bus priority measures are needed on the Island and aim to meet carbon reduction targets.
southern vectis do not need the councils help to make fares cheaper – the management just need to get the employee who types in the fares to the ticketing system, to change them to a lower price, then update it and Voila, cheaper prices.
souther vectis do not need the councils help to change the buses to electric – they just need to get the management to put in an order for electric buses to a manufacturer, pay for them, take delivery, install charging points in the nelson road newport depot and even at newport and ryde bus stations and then use them.
effectively the council are not needed at all and all that is happening here is politicians poking their noses in to private enterprise with a view to claiming meeting expenses for being on a bus committee.
Any chance of bringing back conductors to issue tickets on the move so that other road user don’t have to queue up behind buses while the driver sorts the fares ??
Well it about time then hopefully be less traffic on the roads and you haven’t got to pay parking fees a good Idea ,need money put in to public transport, Electric cars are not the answer electric public transport that’s affordable is simples
A day ticket in Southampton costs £3.40, here £10. If you can afford to bundle buy that for 90 days it costs £152 or £1.69 a day, here £235 or £2.61 a day.
Both these areas are run by the the same Go South Coast, what’s the difference then?
In Southampton, First also run buses. In Southampton they have to offer cheaper trips because there is competition, and they still make boat loads of money.
Theres the ancwer. Set up a rival bus company charge the right price for fares
Southern Vectis is a perfect example of how that doesn’t work. Check out it’s Wikipedia page for an overview of its history.
About time they issued a return ticket option.
Lets hope the council puts its money where its mouth is and provides a decent bus service for places like St Lawrence and Bonchurch rather than giving free tickets out.
if the Tories and new labour had not sold the country off to the highest bigger in the 80’s / 90’s we would still have a nationalised bus service and be able to use tax payers money for the tax payers and give free bus travel. Instead they send our tax to other countries or give it to their mates in big business.