This summer, for the first time ever, visitors can catch the bus to Tapnell Farm, thanks to a new pilot bus service being introduced by Southern Vectis for the summer holidays.
The new Route number 27 will operate every day throughout the 6-week school break, starting Saturday (21st July) and running until Sunday 2nd September, providing a new travel option for local families and visitors. This new service fits with Tapnell Farm’s ethos of encouraging visitors to ‘Go Green’.
Visitors using Route number 27 at the start and end of each day will have the added bonus of travelling on the open top Breezer bus which takes in the spectacular scenery the Island has to offer with far reaching views across to the mainland. The route will run between Newport and Yarmouth stopping at Tapnell Farm. A special shuttle bus service will also be connecting visitors from Yarmouth to the Park during the day.
Richard Tyldsley, General Manager, Southern Vectis, said:
“Tapnell Farm is a hugely popular tourist attraction on the Island and, having listened to customer feedback, we are pleased to introduce this pilot bus service for the summer, to help accommodate the travel needs of local families and visitors who either don’t have a car or who prefer to relax and leave their cars at home.
“We know that visitors get huge enjoyment from travelling by bus and Route number 27 and the shuttle bus from Yarmouth, will each provide a very scenic journey to and from Tapnell Farm, making the whole experience a great day out for the family.
“This new route demonstrates our commitment to helping Island tourism as much as possible. We are able to pilot this new route by using resources currently available to us, and whilst we appreciate the service may be limited, if it proves successful, we will look to introduce a more substantial service to Tapnell Farm in the future.”
In order to accommodate the new bus service, a new turning area and bus stop have been installed and operational changes have been made within the Park to ensure that Tapnell Farm can open earlier at 09:30 for those arriving by bus.
Oli Whitehurst, Marketing Manager at Tapnell Farm, said:
“We’re delighted to be able to provide our customers with the option of travelling to the Park by bus, it is a service that local families have been asking us for since we opened – and we are grateful to Southern Vectis for introducing this pilot route.
“Visitors arriving by bus will be able to enjoy some exclusive perks including early Farm Park entry from 9.30am, a free cup of tea / coffee for each paying adult and entry into our exclusive prize draw. It’s our way of saying ‘thank you’ for travelling by bus and working with us towards our commitment to go green.”
