INFLUX OF CASH COULD SEE LATE-NIGHT BUSES IN RURAL AREAS CONTINUE

Late-night bus services in rural areas of the Isle of Wight could continue as more money is funnelled into the Island’s only bus service. Another bus could also be added to Route 5 service, from Newport to East Cowes, meaning it would operate 4 buses an hour. The cash pot of £580,000 has come from the government, in its Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding, which has been allocated to the Isle of Wight Council. The council would then pay Southern Vectis to provide the extra services within the next 2 years. Late-night services on routes 6 and 12 were introduced mid-way through last year and help more isolated communities enjoy the Island’s evening economy. The 2 routes serve Gatcombe, Chillerton, Chale, Niton and Whitwell as well as Shorwell, Brighstone, Brook, Freshwater and Totland. To put one additional journey on each of the services to and from Newport for a year costs £45,750. The plan is also proposing to use £53,500 to keep routes 6 and 12 at its existing service levels during the winter months — October to March — when it previously would have been reduced. The Isle of Wight Council has said route 5 would benefit from an increased journey frequency as it already has more passengers compared to other routes. With £150,000 of funding over 2 years, the authority has said it will kickstart the additional journey per hour, afterwards Southern Vectis will commit to operating it for at least another year. The Isle of Wight Council adopted the Bus Service Improvement Plan in October 2021 and has been working with the bus company. A decision about the funding will be made by Councillor Phil Jordan, the Isle of Wight Council leader and cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, no earlier than 22nd February.