Southern Vectis says that they are continuing to run their bus services as planned, for now, but a special timetable is expected to come into force at the beginning of April.
The Island’s bus operator says that the health and safety of staff and customers is their number one priority. Whilst they are currently operating as normal, they are anticipating colleague absence due to self-isolation which may mean cancelling some journeys at short notice.
It is the current plan to bring in special timetables with effect from Monday 6th April. The detail of this is being worked on by the local team and details will be released nearer the time.
As of Sunday 22nd March, The Needles Breezer will no longer be running and the Coaster service will not start on 4th April as originally planned.
The waiting room at Newport Bus Station is being closed and the Yarmouth Hut will remain closed. However, travel shops in Ryde and Newport are to remain open.
Southern Vectis say that during this unprecedented time, printed roadside displays may be inaccurate. They are urging passengers to check online for the most up to date timetables.
Passengers are being encouraged to use contactless or mobile payments, where possible.
Anyone that is displaying signs of coronavirus is asked to not use public transport at this time and follow the advice issued by the NHS.
There should be, and should always have been, notices on buses prominently displayed, telling people it is not acceptable to cough and sneeze out into the air, or into their hands which they then touch handrails with. Everyone should be told to cough or sneeze into a hanky or to make sure the cough or sneeze does not go out into the air. I feel sorry for the drivers who are no longer shut up safely in a separate cab, as in the old days, but are now face to face with anyone getting onto the bus.
But they don’t people are selfish.
Totally agree with you… I caught a bus last Thursday and there were two youngsters on the bus full of cold and yes, pressed the stop button and held onto the handrails when they got off … very irresponsible and thoughtless as folk with colds have been asked to stay in for 7 days. Someone on the bus reminded one of the young ladies of this… I can’t repeat here what the answer was!
All the bus windows were open – a good move but not enough.
I will not be catching a bus again for sometime to come.
Thank you for the notice regarding wash hands after leaving bus, now we need a notice for people to cough or sneeze in to tissue, hanky or sleeve and not open air as still done in bus