Southern Vectis is urging bargain hunters to help ease congestion by taking the bus this Black Friday (24th November). Retailers across the Isle of Wight are readying themselves for bumper sales on Friday, and the bus operator is warning of increased congestion around town and village centres. Southern Vectis’ head of communications, Nikki Honer, has said:
“Black Friday gives people the perfect opportunity to start their Christmas shopping, and it is always an incredibly busy day for retailers. “It’s no secret that Newport, in particular, is congested across the town centre during busy times, and parking can be difficult to come by. Just 1 fully loaded double-decker bus has the potential to remove up to 75 cars from our roads , so we’re keen to welcome more people on board as they search for Black Friday bargains. “The £2 fare cap for any single journey – part of the Government’s Help for Households initiative – is also still in place, so this the perfect time to sit back and let our drivers do all the work. “Our services run from the town and village centres regularly throughout the day, so it doesn’t matter how long people choose to spend browsing around the shops. They can also take advantage of the Island’s many bars and restaurants, without thinking about having to drive home afterwards.”
For more information about Southern Vectis timetables on Black Friday, visit islandbuses.info.
Sorry to say, but my observation is that 90%+ of slow moving traffic congestion on our Islands’ roads is caused by SVOC double decker buses (normally pretty empty as well). Doing away with bus laybys to allow the queues to pass has also made the issue much worse.
Couldnt agree more I cant believe its cheaper to run a double deck bus rather than a single like they used to do, we have a double decker comes past our house multiple times a day, never seen more than 6 people on it inc the driver, more often than not its empty
The Numpty double decker buses always gets clogged up at Yaverland
with one coming from one direction and one from another direction
The Idiots should communicate with each other prior to clashing.
I will if they start running a bus to St Lawrence.
But how will I bring a 62 inch plasma onboard after fighting someones nan for it in Currys?
I doubt Currys have stocked any plasma TVs for at least 12 years so i wouldn’t worry too much about it.
Take an inconvenient bus? In a word, no.
and even though the fare is capped @ £2,.. thats still more for a return than the parking will cost,..
so it’s a ‘no’ from me as well
Do you get your petrol/diesel for free then?
What a ridiculous question. East Cowes to Ryde for example, £2 each way by bus. In a car doing 50mpg (as mine does on the island), 15 miles costs £1.50. £4 as against £1.50 makes the car cheaper. No parking charges at Tesco either.
Yeah, I get 56 mpg (2.2 TDCI) on the Island… so the fuel cost just doesn’t come into it…
and I can go when I want, return when I want, carry what I want, and I don’t have to walk half a mile (in the rain) to the nearest bus stop…
TBH even if the bus was free,.. I’d still take the car
Does you car pay its own insurance, road tax, maintenance costs, and purchase price? No it doesn’t. Work out how much it actually costs you to drive to Tesco and back. Struggling to do the maths with your tiny brain?? Well, the actual cost of running a car in the UK is £220 per month. I could get 110 bus journeys for that but I need far less. I usually spend about £30 a month on bus travel so I am £190 per month better off than you. Almost £2.5k per year, which pays for a couple of nice holidays. I also don’t need to fart about trying to find a parking space.
Does you car pay its own insurance, road tax, maintenance costs, and purchase price? No it doesn’t. Work out how much it actually costs you to drive to Tesco and back. Struggling to do the maths with your tiny brain?? Well, the actual cost of running a car in the UK is £220 per month. I could get 110 bus journeys for that but I need far less. I usually spend about £30 a month on bus travel so I am £190 per month better off than you. Almost £2.5k per year, which pays for a couple of nice holidays. I also don’t need to fart about trying to find a parking space.
Average cost of running a car each month is £220. Maybe you forgot about the cost of tax, insurance, and maintenance, and buying the vehicle itself. Much cheaper by bus.
don t think so cost at lease £4 to park and its not just fuel is it tyres tax mot insurance etc
What and stand around in the pissing rain and cold waiting for one to turn up. I don’t think so, and who would want to
Nobody needs to go to the shops on Black Friday. The deals are the same as every other day, they’re on all week anyway, and what shops are there that are worth slumming it on the portable COVID delivery vehicles for?
Yes, just another term imported from America without the actual deals. I have yet to see a genuine black Friday deal that I couldn’t get any time of the year. Also, it is supposed to be one day of the year, not six weeks!
Sat next too an old dear with b o and smelly breath? Catch any lurgy going sat in the germ capsule? A chance youll not get a seat after the rush if inconsiderates? Take 3 times as long too get anywhere?
nah ..ill pass ta
The analogy of a fully loaded double decker potentially taking 75 cars of the road needs some PR work, has anyone ever in the history of the buses on the island seen a fully loaded double decker,
Totally agree, they keep trotting out these stupid statements about the benefits of bus travel. The only people who are going to take a bus are those that are unfortunate enough to have no choice, and the blinkered fools who actually believe that they are “helping to save the planet”.
You really are an idiot if your believe that garbage Paul.
I use the bus regularly because the bus stop is only round the corner. The buses get plenty of use and are packed at peak times. I recommend them for comfort, cost, and convenience. They are far better for the environment too. Indeed, it is beyond me why anyone would waste thousands each year on running a car on such a small island. During rush hour, it is often quicker by bike and even quicker to walk for some journeys. Get rid of your cars and enjoy a free holiday or two each year for the money saved.
“I recommend them for comfort, cost, and convenience”
Comfort?..
I’m sure my car is more comfortable,.. heated, comfortable seats, air-con, music,
I can smoke / vape if I want to (I don’t, but I could)
No ‘other passengers’ with annoying bags / kids
never crowded.
Cost?…
as previous comments,.. cheaper to take the car,.. even if having to pay for parking
Convenience?…
at home, my car is 15 feet from my door,.. not far even if it is p1SSing down.
in town (Newport),.. unless I’m going to the Library, or possibly S-D, or H & M,.. there is parking closer to where I want to go.
Does you car pay its own insurance, road tax, maintenance costs, and purchase price? No it doesn’t. Work out how much it actually costs you to drive to Tesco and back. Struggling to do the maths with your tiny brain?? Well, the actual cost of running a car in the UK is £220 per month. I could get 110 bus journeys for that but I need far less. I usually spend about £30 a month on bus travel so I am £190 per month better off than you. Almost £2.5k per year, which pays for a couple of nice holidays. I also don’t need to fart about trying to find a parking space.
“bus stop is only round the corner” –
OK for you, but not as convenient for most
“packed at peak times” –
Exactly,..
“waste thousands each year on running a car”-
Need it for work anyway,..so cost (other than fuel / parking) is irrelevant
“quicker by bike”..?
Maybe,.. but
I can’t get a car full of tools or shopping on a bike!
(and I don’t get wet, in my car, or p1$$ off every driver I hold up)
“free holiday” – Oh yeah, I use my (already paid for ) car for that as well….
Double Decker buses are driving around the island on a daily basis
Two thirds empty polluting the island.
Where are the Green Party when we need them.
HELP EASE CONGESTION IN TOWN CENTRES BY TAKING THE BUS THIS BLACK FRIDAY Why bother as Newport shopping is dead, and Amazon delivery vans help create congestion .. delivering shopping you cannot buy in Newport .. again no visionary thinking from IWC ..
Too expensive £2 each trip.
Introduce a £3 all day rover ticket then I might consider, until then
cheaper by Car.
Why would you want to catch the bus to Newport? on the offchance you get a cheap deal on anything you’ll proberly have to fight your way past the tumbleweed to get to the shop
“proberly” – probably meant to write the word “probably”. Probably.
A fine example of the low educational standards on the island. Probably.
Talking of congestion.
Why does IW Council and Law allow McDonald’s in Ryde to
Create UNSAFE motoring!!
With all the Numpty’s who use this Junk Food establishment
it is dangerous with Vehicles entering McDonald’s.
Traffic who are not entering McDonald’s drive on the wrong side of the
road against oncoming traffic.
IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TOO HAPPEN
Are the Council complete idiots when it comes to Road Safety??!!
SHUT THE DUMP DOWN TO EASE CONGESTION
The site of the McDonalds is too small for the amount of customers who
visit.
They should have moved to the old Waltzing Waters site or the old Ice Rink.
Have we got any electic buses on the Island yet my father drove an electric milk float for the iow creamery’s in the fifties and they worked well
you must be joking people cant walk to a bus stop they need to park as close to the shop there going to