There was jubilation in Havenstreet at the weekend as a long-awaited bus service returned to the village, more than 10 years after the last regular service ran.
The new Route 33 began operating yesterday (Sunday), reconnecting Havenstreet with Ryde and Newport and putting the village back on the Island’s regular bus network for the first time since 2015.
The Southern Vectis service runs via Haylands and Havenstreet, providing a new public transport link for residents while also improving access to local businesses, visitor attractions and care facilities along the route.
Route 33 has been introduced through a partnership between Southern Vectis, Isle of Wight Council, Havenstreet & Ashey Parish Council and the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, which have worked together to bring the new service to the community.
Richard Tyldsley, general manager of Southern Vectis, has said:
“We are pleased to be introducing Service 33 and providing Havenstreet with a direct bus link to Newport, Ryde and the wider Island network.
“The new route will make it easier for people to get to work, education, appointments, shopping and leisure activities, while also helping visitors travel to and from the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.
“We’ve worked closely with Isle of Wight Council, Havenstreet & Ashey Parish Council and the Isle of Wight Steam Railway to make this service possible.”
Article continues below this advertisement
Stewart Chandler, transport strategy manager at Isle of Wight Council, said:
“We’re really excited to see the Service 33 launch to further support one of our more isolated rural communities on the Isle of Wight.
“This is one of a wider programme of enhancements that we’re introducing to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Island’s bus network and that our local service offer remains at the high standard that our residents expect.
“We’ve built upon an extensive public consultation which was undertaken during the preparation of the Island Transport Plan. During that consultation, residents identified improvements to local bus services, increased service frequencies and better connectivity as key transport priorities.
“We’ve heard this loud and clear from residents and we’re proud to have taken this action to address these priorities.”
Councillor Tony Barry, Isle of Wight Councillor for Newchurch, Havenstreet and Ashey, was among those on hand to welcome the first bus as it arrived outside The White Hart Inn. He was joined by Havenstreet and Ashey Parish Councillor Sam Newnham.
Councillor Barry has been a driving force behind efforts to restore a bus service to Havenstreet, having worked on the campaign both as a parish councillor and, more recently, as the area’s Reform county councillor.
He’s said:
“This is fantastic news for Havenstreet and the surrounding areas along the route. For too long the village has been without a public transport service, leaving some people feeling isolated and facing difficult and often expensive journeys to reach community services and shops. Our new bus service is bringing real benefits for many and also give vastly improved access to businesses, visitor attractions and care facilities in the area.
“I’m amazed that the Parish Council Bus Service Campaign has succeeded in just over 12 months, far exceeding my expectations. I’m grateful to everyone who has contributed towards the return of our bus service – Southern Vectis, The Isle of Wight Council, the Steam Railway and the numerous individuals that have helped to get us back on the bus network.”
In addition to serving local residents, Service 33 provides a convenient link to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, helping visitors travel to one of the Island’s most popular attractions by public transport.
Marc Morgan-Huws, general manager of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, said:
“We’re delighted to be working with Southern Vectis and IW Council to return bus services to Havenstreet and of course, the IW Steam Railway specifically.
“As well as providing a second bus connection for our trains, the new 33 provides a great new means to visit our Whistle stop Cafe at Havenstreet.”
The service runs 3 return journeys on weekdays during school term time, increasing to 5 return journeys at weekends, during school holidays and on public holidays.
Great to see and great to see Southern Vectis using their
brains for once running a single decker bus.
Yes. That’s because there’s a low bridge in Havenstreet.
2/9/2011 Rest in peace Wightbus