Today, the Island’s bus operator Southern Vectis runs just 16 bus routes but there used to be far more… Bus route numbers came to the Island in 1933. At that time, there were the same number of routes as we have today, but by 1959 – in an era when Southern Vectis was carrying a staggering 20million passengers a year – the number of bus routes had shot up to 52. As late as 1989, there were as many as 60 bus routes. The buses did not just cover the Isle of Wight’s main towns. In the bus routes of yesteryear, you could catch the 19 to Newtown, the 24 to Alverstone, the 36 to Atherfield and the 40 to Luccombe. Other perhaps surprising bus destinations included the 5A to the Folly Inn, the 10A to Whitecroft Hospital and the 18 to Carisbrooke Castle. In the 80s, you could travel directly from Ryde to Cowes on the bus without going through Newport, via the floating bridge. Island Echo examines how the main bus routes have changed over the years, and how many have remained very much the same…
Route 1 (today Newport to Cowes; previously Ryde to Cowes)
The Route 1 ran via the Racecourse in Whippingham and Newport Road in Cowes, whilst 1A went through Wootton Common and via the Roundhouse in Cowes. Surprisingly, there are more buses on this route today than there were in the past (6 per hour at peak times, compared with 4 per hour 40 years ago). The bus terminus in Cowes used to be outside the library on Westhill Road. For some years, single-decker buses would make the hazardous journey to Cowes pontoon. Now, double-deckers park outside M&S (the site of the former railway station). 
Route 2 (today Ryde to Newport via Shanklin; previously, Newport to Cowes pontoon)
This route has changed a great deal over the years. From 1933 onwards, the Route 2 was the service between Newport and Cowes pontoon; in the 80s, it went from Sandown to Cowes via Shanklin. Today, it takes the scenic route between Ryde and Newport. 
Route 3 (today Ryde to Newport via Ventnor; previously,Ryde to Newport via Havenstreet).
Today, the Route 3 is the long route between Ryde and Newport (via Ventnor). However, in past times, the 3 went between Ryde and Newport via Haylands, Havenstreet and Blacklands Lane. Sadly, buses to Havenstreet are no more. This must be the largest village on the Island bereft of a bus service. The bus shelter in the village (outside the White Hart) now operates as a mini-library. The service was discontinued on 4th September 2015. By that time, the 3 had become the 33, and Havenstreet was also served by Community bus route 34. 
Route 4 (Ryde to East Cowes)
The Route 4 has been conveying passengers from Ryde to East Cowes for nearly a century, ever since route numbers were 1st introduced in 1933. However, in the 80s, the 4 double-decker became the Medina Nipper Minibus and continued across the floating bridge as far as Gurnard. 
Route 5 (Newport to East Cowes)
The 5 has been the Newport to East Cowes route since 1933 right through to the present day. At one time, the 5 went down York Avenue while the 4 pottered along Victoria Grove – today the routes are reversed. In the 80s, the 5 became the Medinalinx Minibus 
Route 6 (today Newport to Ventnor; previously Ryde town service)
In the present day, the Route 6 bus route ambles between the rural villages from Newport to Ventnor, taking in the villages of Gatcombe, Chillerton, Chale, Niton and Whitwell. In the 80s, the 6 was the Wanderer Mininbus, going up through Oakfield as far as Tesco. 
Route 7 (today Newport to Alum Bay; previously Sandown to Alum Bay)
Today’s No7 to West Wight is but a shadow of its former self, starting at Newport and finishing at Alum Bay. However, in the 80s, the 7 ran the whole way from Sandown to Alum Bay. The 7 took the Newport Road through Shalfleet to Yarmouth, whereas the 7A wnt along Middle Road as far as Calbourne before taking in the villages of Newbridge, Wellow and Thorley. 
Route 8 (today Newport to Ryde; previously Ryde to Shanklin – both via Bembridge)
The No8 bus has been the main route for East Wight villages (Nettlestone, St Helens and Seaview) since route numbers were 1st introduced in 1933. However, the route has now been extended to Newport to take in the villages of Apse Heath and Arreton, as well as Downend end Pan Estate. When the service was at its peak, the No8 ran 4 buses an hour, but today, it is down to an hourly service, with a twice-hourly frequency in summer. When St Helens was connected with Bembridge via a toll road, passengers had to walk part of the journey due to weight restrictions. 
Route 9 (today Newport to Ryde; previously Newport Town Service)
In the 21st century, Route 9 is Southern Vectis’ most frequent service, travelling every 10 minutes between the Isle of Wight’s 2 most populous towns. Back in the 80s, Route 9 was a modest Newport town minibus service going as far as Pan Estate. 
I well remember the bus driver in Ryde named, perhaps a nick name, Wholly, he was at the time one of the few blacks in Ryde and was a very nice person.
Sadly how times have changed, and the Elmfield number 20 route with a conductor on buses, with almost all passengers then, Islanders, known to one another by sight if not personally, made a safe, normal and pleasant experience traveling on buses back then.
Sadly the island is not a diverse place, the island needs
to employ Drivers of all cultures, it is 2024 and the island does not
seem to move forward in the world.
The island is most certainly a diverse place, there are many drivers on the island of all cultures, postmen, couriers coach drivers, bus drivers, taxi drivers, cyclists.
Plus if you want to eat out you can go to a Chinese restaurant or Indian restaurant or Italian restaurant or get a kebab. You can go to a Turkish barber, you can get halal meat, and an Indian head massage or a Thai massage.
How much more diverse do you want on a tiny island.?
We need more drivers like Wally.
If they don’t apply for the job what do you suggest ?
I visited the island a few times when I was a kid and went to Whitecliff Bay every time. My parents then moved to the Island in 1990. My parents had no car so we used the buses every time. We all knew Wally very well and as you say, he was a lovely fella. I think he became a Councillor in later years.
This comment thread is making me cringe.
I WAS THERE IN 1990 CAME FROM VIRGIN GORDA in THE VIRGIN ISLANDS (at the Teachers College in New Port -lived in West Cowes ) Teacher of IT at some of the Secondary schools Ms Dorothy Moir was principal
Wally Edwards OBE was also a JP
I remember the Royal Mail Post Buses that also took passengers.
Those were the days.
Modern buses appear larger than these nice older buses which is not good for on-coming vehicles.
I just wish that The Inbetweeners had been on telly when I were a lad, because I would most certainly have been leaning out the window of my my mates yellow Fiat as we passed by the island bus stops.
Sorry to correct you but the 4 & 5 routes didnt reverse. The 5 always came up/down Victoria Grove the 4 down York avenue. However in the days when there was a hal hourly service on both routes the 5 would go down Victoria Grove then along Adelaide grove and terminate at the end of Clarence Rd. It then changed to a No 4 and up York avenue to Ryde. The incoming 4 came down York Ave and terminated at the town hall. It then changed to a No 5 to Newport going along Clarence Rd Yarborough Rd Adelaide Grove and Victoria Grove. I grew up in Vectis Rd so used the 5 from Mayfield Rd . When we had family outings to the mainland it always meant a long trek to Osborne House to get the 4 to Ryde.
I grew up in East Cowes (top of York Avenue). The 5 going down York Avenue and the 4 going down Victoria Grove is what I remember from when I was a child. Maybe we grew up in different eras.
I like big green buses.
Nice to see some proper exhaust fumes (13 seconds into film). None of this low carbon emissions nonsense, just good old unfiltered leaded fumes polluting the atmosphere. Magic!
Greta Thumbug wouldn’t be happy, would she?
‘Take the 19 out of Newtown, for Niton catch a 10, the 24 to Alverstone’ll get you there and back again’……..for those old enough to remember Lauri Say. Happy days.
Sadly their recruitment policy is very biased and nor based on ability or driving licence
Havenstreet This must be the largest village on the Island don’t you mean one of the smallest. Bembridge is the biggest village on the island and one of the biggest in England why would there be a bus to havenstreet there is there is nothing there other then a railway burning dirty coal in the name of Heritage
“largest village bereft of a bus service.” Bembridge has a bus service.