Southern Vectis has announced a host of new school bus services, in addition to its regular network of commercial bus services, in response to a cut in Council-funded services.
Many of the new commercial school routes are designed to provide options for pupils who would have previously used a spare seat on school buses — including those living in the West Wight. As previously reported, a number of rural routes have been cut in the West Wight and the South Wight.
A number of ticket options are available for students from this September, including 7, 30 and 90 day passes priced at £20, £70 and £176 respectively, and £13.50, £46.50 and £117 for under 16s. The tickets are valid 7 days a week across the entire Southern Vectis network, meaning they offer greater flexibility than current ‘privilege seats’.
Richard Tyldsley, Southern Vectis general manager.
“We know a number of pupils have missed out on privileged seats this year – so we are pleased to be providing additional resources to accommodate those displaced students,” said Richard Tyldsley, Southern Vectis general manager.
“Our plan is to run additional buses along some of our key commercial routes – linking to schools, as well as some dedicated school buses.
“If you bought a privileged seat from the council last year, but do not have a seat this year, we have produced a handy guide showing all the options available to you.
“We have had many requests from parents living in the West Wight whose children attend Cowes Enterprise College, and I’m pleased to say we are able to offer a direct bus for this group.
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The Isle of Wight Council has welcomed the news. Councillor Paul Brading, Cabinet member for children’s services, education and skills, said:
“We are extremely grateful to Southern Vectis for putting together such a comprehensive timetable of additional school bus services.
“The extra capacity and school bus services will supplement our new home-to-school transport contract with the company ensuring the majority of Island students have the option of a seat on a school bus.
“I’m particularly pleased that a direct bus service will be available to young people living in the West Wight who attend Cowes Enterprise College, Christ the King or Carisbrooke College.”
For more information about Southern Vectis’ school bus services, visit www.islandbuses.info.
Parents choose to have children and I suggest they use some of the tax credits and child allowance to pay for the additional buses.
Can’t afford too? Not your responsibility?
Ditto, and ditto for the council tax payers who are paying for your choice of having children and yet living in more remote locations.
Whilst others live in towns, knowing it is more practical when having a family they then pay the price by having to tolerate noise, pollution, anti social behaviour.
Those in more remote locations clearly want the best of both worlds, eg to live in a more genteel location yet STILL have their choice of having children paid for by using ‘others’ council tax aided public transport.
Most kids that get these buses have to pay for their seats! Why do you have to attack those less fortunate than yourselves? If you haven’t noticed we are amidst a pandemic too and many many people have lost their jobs, so having to rely on the benefit system to help feed themselves and their children! This isn’t a time to be nasty or to say things that will upset others this is supposed to bring us all together and support one another. The benefit system is there to help stuggling families which one day you may have to rely on yourself. Stay safe be kind x
Ahhh yes the bigoted, poor-hating scummy ‘Primmer’. I wonder if she gets cancer and finds working impossible for the next 6 months of treatment, she will change her tune? Right? She wouldn’t claim welfare, sick pay, or anything, I’m sure.
I am not sure who you are referring too Miss Primmer but may I suggest you fully understand a situation before making ridiculously pathetic comments like that… at £132 a term I hardly think it is free! Not every parent gets ‘benefits’ and to have such a blanket opinion says more about you than you care to recognise!!