Southern Vectis, in partnership with Isle of Wight Council, has successfully secured Department for Transport investment for a further 9 double decker electric buses on the Isle of Wight.
The Department for Transport (DfT) had previously awarded funding from its Zero Emission Bus Regional Area scheme to bring 22 new electric buses to the island. This project, which includes the purchase of the electric buses and the installation of the electric charging infrastructure at Southern Vectis’ depot, is well underway and is scheduled to begin in 2026.
The 9 extra double decker electric buses announced this week will mainly be used on Routes 4, 8 and 37, which operate in Ryde, and link the town with East Cowes, Seaview, Bembridge, St Helens, Sandown and Newport.
They are expected to begin operations in 2026 and the successful bid, which is worth more than £4.4million, also includes a further 5 additional chargers with 10 additional charging points at the Newport depot. The project to provide the extra buses is expected to cost around £3.8million, with both Southern Vectis and Isle of Wight Council contributing the additional funds.
Andrew Wickham, Managing Director of Southern Vectis, has said:
“This is excellent news for the Isle of Wight, and it will further drive our mission to put the island right at the forefront of sustainable transport.
“These new buses will help to improve air quality here, and reduce carbon emissions, while also giving passengers modern, high-quality buses for their journeys.
“The additional joint investment is testament to the excellent relationship we have with Isle of Wight Council, and we will continue to work together to ensure the Isle of Wight’s bus network remains the envy of other areas of the United Kingdom.”
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Stewart Chandler, the Isle of Wight Council’s transport strategy manager, added:
“I am delighted that electric buses will be landing on our Island soon. The arrival of zero-emission buses is a big step in reducing carbon emissions from transport as we work hard to address the climate crisis. The support that Southern Vectis has shown for this project demonstrates the excellent working relationship we have with the bus operator and how working together can help achieve the very best for the Island.”
Let’s hope the Fire Service are well equipped.
So many Electric buses have caught fire in
London.
Firstly, why should the taxpayer fund buses for a private company? Secondly, don’t park them inside Nelson Road depot in case they catch fire and destroy much of the fleet! Thirdly, who in their right mind allocates electric buses to routes miles away from the only chargers? Have they got enough range to operate in Ryde all day on the 37 without running flat? Likewise on the 4? Will the ones on the 8 have to come off service halfway through the day to go to the depot to recharge? If so, that means having extra vehicles to cover. Hardly a universal panacea are they?
Does the island have the right recovery trucks for
removing such vehicles when they break down.
Cheaper to use clean diesel busses and supply more of them..
The Government hates diesel vehicles,
many parts of the country charge double fees
for parking diesel vehicles.