Southern Vectis is to start its Shanklin Shuttle bus route from this weekend, with the town’s famous lift currently unable to run.
The bus operator has been working with Isle of Wight Council to introduce the service, which will transport local people and visitors from the town, bus and rail station to Shanklin seafront and Esplanade.
Richard Tyldsley, Southern Vectis general manager, says:
“The lift carries thousands of people each year to the beach and businesses on the Esplanade here in Shanklin and, understandably, it can’t currently re-open because of social distancing requirements.
“We are pleased to be running the Shanklin Shuttle service, with stringent cleaning measures in place – including special focus on touch points with anti-viral wipes. Our seating layout also allows for social distancing, so this is a wonderful opportunity for local people and visitors to enjoy the wonderful views here from our buses safely and in comfort.”
From Sunday (26th July), the Shanklin Shuttle route runs half hourly from 09:31 to 17:01 – with an hour’s gap from 12:31.
Fares:
- Adult single ticket £2.50, day ticket £4
- Child single ticket £1.25, day ticket £2
- Over 60s single ticket £1.30, day ticket £2
- Young person single ticket £1.90, day ticket £3
- Family (up to 2 adults and 3 children day ticket £10
For more information about the route and times, visit islandbuses.info.
Sorry, but WHY is the lift not running?
Limit numbers permitted to board at any one time, and ensure that face coverings are mandatory, after all it is a fairly small footprint, before people bleat about having to wear a face covering!
Mind you, I can guess that ‘due to COVID-19’ absolutely no inspection has been carried out on the lift (usually done the week before Easter), so I would guess that even if they decided they were going to use the lift it would malfunction due to the extended period of non-use.
Fairly obvious I would have thought. The lift is a very small enclosed space so how could you practice social distancing in it plus the cost of cleaning it between each trip.
The granny ticket should be allowed on this bus.
That picture of Regent street really makes me want a Dominos