Leeson Road Ventnor has now closed again for several weeks.
Southern Vectis has agreed to join the scheme to provide a maximum fare of £2 single (all ages) from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2024. This won't apply to through fares, where a single fare of £2 will apply to each leg of the journey. It may consequently be cheaper in most circumstances to pay individually but there will be exceptions. It will apply to all routes with the exception of contracted school buses (numbered above 100), Breezers, the Island Coaster, and the Shanklin Shuttle. It will however also apply to buses for schools numbered below 100.
On route 6, additional buses will run at 18.55 and 21.45 from Ventnor, and 20.45 and 22.45 from Newport from 2nd October 2023 except on Sundays.
On route 12, additional buses will run at 18.50 from Alum Bay and 21.45 from Totland, and 20.55 and 23.10 from Newport also from 2nd October 2023 except on Sundays. These additional journeys will run for a trial period of 2 years to assess demand.
On route 31, a Saturday service has now been introduced. Buses run on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from Ventnor Boots at 09.45, 10.45, 11.45, and 12.45 via Upper Bonchurch and Bonchurch, and at 10.06, 11.06, 12.06, and 13.06 via the Botanic Gardens and St.Lawrence, also for a trial period of 2 years.
Island Line
Still no connection off the 21.45 from Portsmouth Harbour, so we've asked Southern Vectis to retime the 22.15 route 3 from Ryde Interchange to run 5 mins later at 22.20.
Network Rail tell us they are testing 4 car trains again, the 'wheel' problem has been solved and everybody is happy with the way the 40 minute timetable is working. They are still keen to get a 30 minute timetable and are seeking ways this could be achieved - perhaps with faster running times.
Island Line service half-hourly between Shanklin and Ryde Esplanade until May 2025, with a replacement minibus service along the pier.