Bus operator Southern Vectis is introducing temporary changes to its services across the Isle of Wight due to a lack of staff as a result of COVID illness.
A number of staff are currently off work having tested positive for COVID-19, despite there being no legal requirement for people to self-isolate.
From Monday 21st until Friday 25th March inclusive, a number of specific journeys are being cancelled on Routes 1, 5 and 9. There will also be a reduced service running on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th March.
Richard Tyldsley, General Manager of Southern Vectis, says:
“Like many businesses, we have been affected by a sudden and significant increase in absenteeism because a high number of our team have Covid.
“Although it is not a legal requirement to self isolate, advice from government is to stay at home and avoid contact with other people – and we are doing so for the safety of our colleagues and customers.
“Fortunately, we have not seen any colleagues become seriously unwell, but their absence is having a highly detrimental effect on our ability to operate all our journeys.
“We do keep a generous number of additional drivers to cover any sickness/absence, but current levels are unprecedented. We fully appreciate the inconvenience for our customers when they go to catch a bus and it fails to arrive, so we are adjusting some of our services.
Article continues below this advertisement “We are looking at our more frequent routes and are avoiding cancelling journeys in the early morning and evening. Our hope is that drivers will return towards the end of next week, and we will return to operating all journeys as soon as possible.
“The best way to check whether your bus is running or not is to use the journeys planner or real time departure features on our web or app.”
For more detailed timetable information, visit islandbuses.info.
