Minutes of The Isle of Wight Bus and Rail Users Group Public Meeting held on the 24th January 2026 at Newport Methodist Church, Quay Street, Newport.

 

On the platform were:

 

IWBRUG Executive members – Robert May (RM) and James Nevell (JN)

 

Southern Vectis: Richard Tyldesley, General Manager (RT)

 

Island Line/South Western Railway: Mark Dunn (MD). Manager

 

Isle of Wight Council: Stewart Chandler, Transport Department Manager

 

Also attending were IWBRUG Executive members John Yunnie (JY), Dina Jung (DJ), and Chris Biles (CB).

 

39 members of the public attended.

 

Apologies: Stuart George (SG)

 

The meeting was opened by RM at 11:00.

 

 

 

Chairman’s opening address (read by RM in SG's absence)

  1. A welcome to this IWBRUG Public Meeting. These are normally held twice a year. This meeting is open to everyone who uses buses or trains on the Island.

 

The IWBRUG represents public transport users on the Island. We meet Southern Vectis, Island Line, and the IW Council on a regular basis and, although we don't have any legal powers, we do seek to influence operators and the Council in the interests of passengers.

 

Details of our group and membership are available here. There is no obligation to join the group although the more members we have, the greater our influence. It costs £5 to join the group and, if you would like to, you're invited to talk to any of our committee members. 

 

  1. Introductions to the representatives of IWBRUG, Southern Vectis and Island Line. The format of the meeting is the speakers will outline their news and they should not be interrupted. After they've all spoken, they will be available for questions and comments.

 

 

Richard Tyldesley, Southern Vectis

 

  1. Passenger numbers in 2025 were slightly lower than in 2024. Travel demand tailed off towards the end of last year.

Travel by English National Concessionary Travel Scheme passholders now exceeds that in 2019, pre-covid. However, travel by fare paying passengers is recovering more slowly.

Routes 5 Newport – East Cowes, 6 Newport – Ventnor and 12 Newport – Alum Bay, which have all had service enhancements funded by the IW Council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), all showed good growth in passenger numbers.

  1. The summer 2026 timetable will include some minor service changes aimed at improving service punctuality and reliability, but no major changes.

The Downs Breezer service will continue to run every 2 hours.

Unfortunately, the Sea Breezer route, introduced in 2025, did not attract sufficient passengers to become commercially sustainable.

 

  1. More service improvements that could be funded by the BSIP are under consideration.

 

  1. Electric buses are coming. The first vehicles should arrive in 2 weeks’ time. Following this, 8 vehicles a week will be delivered. A total of 23 will be delivered in the first batch, following by another 9 in the second batch. 32 buses will be electric out of a peak vehicle requirement of 48. The bus duties and schedules will change to facilitate vehicle charging but the timetables will stay the same.

 

  1. The electric buses will have 2 wheelchair bays and full audio-visual Next Stop Announcements (NSAs). 2 of Go South Coast staff work only on maintaining the NSA provision.

 

  1. Options to add more electric buses are being considered.

 

  1. Road works are a problem currently and SV are working to mitigate their impact on services.

 

  1. SV is supporting the Hampshire and IW Air Ambulance charity for 2 years. The next SV Community Fund award will be for 3 years.

 

Mark Dunn – Island Line

 

  1. The first week of 2026 was cold and complaints were received from passengers that the train heating was insufficient. The carriage heating units are currently regulated to a maximum touch temperature of 60oC. Modifications are in progress to enable the heaters to emit more heat and raise saloon temperatures on colder days.

 

  1. The Island line will be closed for 1 day on 1st February to enable emergency repair work to be undertaken on Rowborough substation transformer.

 

  1. The Island line will be closed for 2 weeks full closure and a further 2 weeks part closure in November 2026. This is to continue the rail replacement works between Ryde tunnel and Ryde St John’s Road station and to upgrades all 3 power substations. This could lead to potential performance enhancements

 

  1. Passenger journeys continue to increase on Island Line with journeys up 10.1% year on year. 2025-26 is likely to be our best year since covid.

 

  1. Reliability has improved: train cancellations have decreased from 5.8% in 2024 to 2.7% in 2025. Delay minutes are following a similar trend.

 

  1. The 40/40 timetable continues to perform well. Consultation is underway to agree a better service contingency plan to provide an hourly service during disruption due to train crew or rolling stock unavailability. It is hoped to sign this off by April 2026.

 

Stewart Chandler – Isle of Wight Council

  1. The IWC’s fourth Local Transport Plan (LTP4) public consultation received 450 responses. The plan, which covers bus and rail service, will be reviewed to consider these. It is intended to adopt LTP4 in February 2026.

 

  1. Devolutiuon: the Hampshire and Solent Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) will be formed and will be the local transport authority for the IW. However, elections to the MCA have been postponed until 2028.

 

The MCA may have more funding for transport schemes. Further details will be available when it is established.

 

  1. The IWC BSIP was adopted at the end of 2024. It now has a 3-year Government funding settlement. More improvement options are under consideration in partnership with SV.

 

  1. The Government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) fund is providing 32 new electric buses this year. A further funding bid for more electric buses is under consideration. The electric buses will improve the fleet across the IW as older diesel buses are cascaded out.

 

  1. The Island Green Link will include public transport improvements on the east-west corridor including

 

    1. Yarmouth interchange transport hub

    2. Improvements to bus stops – hard standing areas, lighting, CCTV

    3. Real time information displays at stops

    4. Audio-visual information displays at Ryde Interchange

    5. Battery powered audio-visual display at Yarmouth interchange

 

  1. Road works have increased since autumn 2025. These are essential for utilities’ resilience. Works have to be carried out in winter to avoid affecting tourist traffic.

A retaining wall will have to be rebuilt at Wroxall, extending the road closure into Easter 2026.

 

  1. The IW Transport Infrastructure Forum includes all bus, rail and ferry operators. It is looking at the travel needs of young persons and NHS staff and patients.

 

  1. The IWC provides revenue supports for services on route 31 in Ventnor and for the Freshwater Yarmouth Totland (FYT) minibus services.

 

Robert May – questions and comments from the audience

  1. John Yunnie read questions from Mr Nash.

    1. access to a bell button to stop a bus is available from only 1 side of a wheelchair bay

    2. Bus stopping signs are positioned behind the wheelchair bay and not visible from it.

    3. Some bus stops have low kerbs giving a steep angle for wheelchairs.

    4. Not all bus stops have wheelchair access.

    5. Concern at the use of wheelchair ramps by some drivers – letting them down too fast.

RT replied that the bus stopping sign issue should be resolved by the new audio-visual displays. More training will be given to drivers in the use of ramps if needed.

SC replied that the IWC needs to identify the stops that need wheelchair access provision. A programme of stop improvements is being developed. A baseline is being established with standards, including accessibility.

 

  1. Tony Barry, Chairman Havenstreet and Ashey Parish Council (HAPC). Some Havenstreet residents are asking for a bus service to the village. A survey of residents has indicated support for this. Could the IWC’s BSIP funding be used to provide revenue support to deliver a service?

SC replied that revenue support funding for a service to Havenstreet was withdrawn in 2015 and as the service was not commercially sustainable, it was then discontinued. Could HPC develop a route/service proposal? A single deck bus would be needed to fit under the rail bridge. Some on-street parking in the village may need t be removed to enable a bus to pass through. The IWC has not received the survey results.

RT replied that there is some travel demand in Havenstreet but not sufficient to sustain a commercial bus service. However, SV will look at any proposal from HAPC and indicate the likely revenue support costs.

 

  1. Mavis from East Cowes. Could some journeys on route 5 Newport – East Cowes run via York Avenue, which is only served hourly by route 4?

RT replied that SV have looked at this with the IWC. However, it could confuse some passengers and there is a fine balance needed to keep services commercially viable.

 

  1. Andrew Price, Prostate Cancer Support Group. IW patients need to travel to Queen Alexandra Hospital (Portsmouth) and Southampton General Hospital for radio therapy treatment. Patients in full time work receive no benefits on Statutory Sick Pay and no support for their travel costs, although some can claim travel costs retrospectively. Could a patients’ bus pass for travel to the ferry terminals be provided?

SC replied that this idea is being considered by the IW Transport Infrastructure Board and the CEO of the local NHS Trust. He asked Mr Price to write to the NHS Trust with these points.

RT replied that the current bus fare cap is £3 and that multi-trip discounts are available. Also Go South Coast, the parent company of SV give discounted travel in Southampton. Information on hospital travel arrangements should be given by the NHS.

 

  1. Vix Lowthian. The cost of taking children to primary school by bus (1 adult and 2 children) is high for a parent on the minimum wage.

RT replied that some travel discounts are available to children and under-19s.

 

SC replied that the IWC is looking at a travel discount scheme for young persons, to be funded by the BSIP programme. However, this funding is not yet in place.

 

  1. Lee Parkes from Ventnor. Bus route diversions are affecting the residents of Upper Ventnor.

RT replied that the area will be served when the road through Wroxall is reopened.

 

 

 

Robert May closed the meeting at 12:30.

 

 

 

DRAFT Minutes of The Isle of Wight Bus and Rail Users Group Public Meeting held on the 19th July 2025 at Newport Methodist Church, Quay Street, Newport.

 

On the platform were:

IWBRUG Executive members – Stuart George (SG), and James Nevell (JN).

Southern Vectis: Richard Tyldesley, General Manager (RT)

Island Line/South Western Railway: Mark Dunn (MD). Manager

Isle of Wight Council: Stewart Chandler, Transport Department Manager

 

Also attending were IWBRUG Executive members Dina Jung (DJ), Robert May (RM), and Rodney Archer (RA).

 

23 members of the public attended in person and ? on line.

 

The meeting was opened by SG at 11:00.

Chairman’s opening address SG

  1. A welcome to this IWBRUG Public Meeting. These are normally held twice a year. This meeting is open to everyone who uses buses or trains on the Island.

The IWBRUG represents public transport users on the Island. We meet Southern Vectis, Island Line, and the IW Council on a regular basis and, although we don't have any legal powers, we do seek to influence operators and the Council in the interests of passengers.

Details of our group and membership are available here. There is no obligation to join the group although the more members we have, the greater our influence. It costs £5 to join the group and, if you would like to, you're invited to talk to any of our committee members. 

  1. Introductions to the representatives of IWBRUG, Southern Vectis and Island Line. The format of the meeting is the speakers will outline their news and they should not be interrupted. After they've all spoken, they will be available for questions and comments.

 

Richard Tyldesley, Southern Vectis

  1. Recent road works at Newport bus station are now nearing completion and routes 1 (Cowes) and 9 (Ryde) will depart from their normal stands again.

  2. The winter 2025-26 timetable will contain no major changes to services.

  3. The IWC/DfT Bus Service Improvement Plan funding will provide revenue support for continuing to operate the route 8 Newport – Sandown (known as route 8 ½) through the winter. This service, combined with the hourly route 8 Newport – Sandown – Ryde services provides a 30-minute interval service from Newport - Sandown.

  4. The DfT raised its fare cap from £2 to £3 from January 2025. Passenger numbers have declined by 4% overall in response to this but continue to be fairly healthy. Trends in passenger numbers vary by toute.

  5. Electric buses are due to start running in March 2026. Works at Newport (Nelson Road) depot to install charging equipment will start on 26th July, with power expected to be switched on by September. The first Wright Electroliner double deck buses will be delivered in December and staff training will start. There will be 31 Electroliner double deck buses in the fleet, which will provide most of the current peak vehicle requirement of 48 buses. The electric buses will have space for 2 wheelchairs, which was a condition of the DfT Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) funding, but fewer seats downstairs. However, the wheelchair space can also be used for pushchairs.

 

Mark Dunn, Island Line

  1. Operating performance on the Ryde – Shanklin line has improved since the last IWBRUG Public Meeting in January 2025. 99% of Island Line trains ran on time in the 4-week period to June 2025, with only 5 services cancelled.

  2. Ryde Pier reopened to trains on 2nd May 2025. A 40-minute interval service is now running. Passenger numbers have increased by 27% over 2024 and are the highest since before Covid.

  3. In Autumn 2025 work to replace worn rails between Ryde Esplanade and Ryde St John’s Road will start. The replacement rail will be the same type as on the rest of the line to reduce wheel wear. The line will be closed for 2-weeks during the school half-term period from the end of October. The track from St John’s Road – Shanklin will be tamped to improve ride quality. The footbridge at Ryde St John’s Road will be refurbished. A further 2-week closure will affect the Ryde – St John’s Road – Ryde Pier Head section after this to complete the track replacement in Ryde tunnel.

 

Stewart Chandler, Isle of Wight Council

  1. Public consultation on the draft Island Transport Plan (the fourth local transport plan) will take place in the autumn. This document sets out the IWC’s strategic position on transport issues going forward. It has been approved by the council’s committee for public consultation.

  2. The devolution proposals have been agreed in principle with the Government. The mayoral combined authority, encompassing Portsmouth, Southampton, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will take the lead on transport issues when it is established.

  3. The IWC has approved the BSIP in January 2025. DfT funds will be used to provide revenue support to SV for service frequency increases on route 5 Newport – East Cowes and route 8 Newport – Sandown. Evening services on route 6 Newport – Ventnor and route 12 Newport – Alum Bay are also secured by BSIP revenue support funding. Discussions regarding further service enhancements are continuing.

  4. The initial IWC ZEBRA bid to the DfT secured funding for 22 electric buses. A further bid secured funding for a further 9. The 31 new electric buses will comprise over 60% of the total peak vehicle requirement of 48 buses.

  5. Bus stops are being surveyed to identify scope for possible improvements to be funded by the BSIP programme.

  6. Signal priority for buses could be provided at certain junctions, again with BSIP funds. The IWC is awaiting cost estimates from Island Roads for this.

  7. The IW Transport Infrastructure Board is now suspended. However, a new forum will be convened in the early autumn.

 

Questions from the public

  1. Maggie Nelmes

  1. The new buses with tables upstairs (transferred from Bournemouth in 2024) have uncomfortable seats that don’t support the passengers enough.

RT replied that no other complaints have been received about the seats in these buses. However, all passengers’ profiles are different.

  1. During the present heatwave buses normally used on school services have been used on route 3 Ryde – Ventnor - Newport. These have windows at the front that don’t open.

RT replied that there are now no dedicated school service buses. There have been heat related problems on buses as they don’t have air conditioning. However, SV will investigate possible measures to address this.

  1. A route 6 Ventnor – Newport service arrived 45 minutes late on 9th July, resulting in a missed appointment.

RT replied that he would investigate this.

  1. Buses at Newport bus stations switch their destination displays late, confusing passengers.

 

RT replied that he hadn’t received any complaints about this but would investigate.

 

 

  1. Phil from Cowes. On route 9 Newport – Ryde, drivers sometimes arrive when the service is due to depart (at Newport & Ryde), take time loading and then depart late.

 

RT replied that SV will monitor bus departure times. However, drivers still have to take a break even if the incoming service arrive late.

 

 

  1. Paul from Wroxall, works as a carer in Ventnor. On Sundays the first service to Ventnor (route 3) is at 07:30, which is too late for a shift start at a care home.

 

RT replied that he hadn’t perceived a need for earlier Wroxall – Ventnor service on a Sunday but would investigate.

SC indicated that BSIP funding could potentially be used to provide revenue support for additional route 3 services but IWC would need to understand the costs and passenger demand involved.

 

  1. Marion from East Cowes. Could route 5 Newport – East Cowes be split to provide more services on York Avenue? Routes 1, 7 and 9 also have variations but this does not confuse passengers.

 

RT replied that this possibility has previously been investigated but was found to likely lose passengers by complicating route 5. The current route 5 works best for passengers but this will be kept under review.

 

  1. Jenny Hock from Sandown.

  1. Wheelchair users being left behind at stops in Brading.

 

RT replied that the forthcoming electric buses will have 2 wheelchair spaces which should address this problem.

 

  1. The Sandown High Street stop is near to a camber in the road surfacing which affects buses.

SC replied that this should be reported to Island Roads.

 

 

  1. Wendy. An IW Councillor for Shanklin.

  1. Could a seat be provided at Lake station?

 

MD replied that due to youths (not travelling) gathering on the seat and anti-social behaviour issues, the seat has been removed. There are no plans to replace it.

 

  1. When the Island Line is closed for works, could the rail-replacement bus route serve Sandown station forecourt?

 

MD replied that Sandown station forecourt cannot be used by full sized buses, so this is not possible.

 

  1. Northbound buses on route 3 Newport – Ventnor – Ryde take longer than necessary to travel through Shanklin, with buses wating at Shanklin bus station. Could this be shortened?

 

RT replied that extra time is in the service schedules for when Leeson Road cannot be used and route 3 services are diverted via Wroxall.

 

 

  1. Phil Jelly from Ryde. The SV app does not give information about service diversions, which would be very useful to visitors. Could diversions be shown in the route map in red/black lines?

 

RT replied that this is not possible with the app. However, he will investigate whether such a feature could be added.

 

  1. Mark  from Shanklin.

 

  1. The 40-minute interval between trains is longer than the Island Line service of 20 years ago. Could it be shortened?

 

MD replied that the safety features of the new trains and the line speed limits result in a 26-minute travel time. The 40-minute interval is the best possible with 2 trains running. There are not plans to provide a 30-minute interval service. Line speed improvements to facilitate a 30-minute interval service would require substantial DfT funding.

 

  1. The business units in the station buildings at Brading, Sandown and Shanklin are now closed. Are the rents charged at London rates or suitable rates to attract tenants?

 

MD replied that the station building lets are managed by ABTBT for SWR. London rates are not charged. Sandown station is to be let to a new tenant, a charitable organisation, at a peppercorn rent. A similar letting at Shanklin should see the shop reopen. Brading Town Council no longer pay the peppercorn rent required to keep the museum open. However, the building is to be let to the Hampshire Community Rail Partnership, which intends to reopen the museum.

 

 

  1. Vix Lowthion. What will be the public consultation arrangements for the Island Transport Plan?

 

SC replied that the consultation will be over a 12-week period. Drop-in events will be provided. An online survey will be used but written responses will also be accepted.

 

 

  1. Graham Dicks from Wroxall. The road through Wroxall is to be closed for resurfacing in September and buses will presumably be diverted away. What arrangements will be made for the passengers from the village?

 

RT replied that SV will make suitable arrangements when details of the road closures are received.

SC indicated that this work is being led by Island Roads.

 

  1. Robert May from Shanklin. Could 4-car trains be run on the Island Line at busy times to reduce crowding?

 

MD replied that due to problems with the electricity substation at Rowborough, sufficient power cannot be delivered to run a 4-car train. However, it is possible that Rowborough substation could be repaired as part of the works in Autumn 2025. All 3 Island Line substations are due to be upgraded in 2027, which should fix this power supply problem.

 

 

  1. Chris Biles.

 

  1. Why was the line speed improvement work required to provide a 30-minute interval service not undertaken as part of the original Island Line upgrade?

 

MD replied that due to costs involved and funding pressures it had to be removed.

 

  1. Information on the stand diversions at Newport bus station was not provided in advance, including to the Blind Society. This has affected visually impaired passengers.

 

RT replied that SV was awaiting a contractor to give notice to undertake the works. However, the contractor unexpectedly had another job cancelled and reallocated the staff/equipment. SV then had to make arrangements quickly.

  1. John Yunnie from Wootton.

 

  1. Could Island Line closure dates be confirmed?

 

MD replied that the whole line closure will be from Saturday 18th October – Saturday 2nd November 2025. The section from Ryde Pier Head – Ryde St John’s Road will remain closed from 3rd – 17th November.

 

  1. Outbound buses from Newport are subject to substantial delays from traffic queuing on South Street towards Coppins Bridge. Could bus priority measures be provided?

 

SC replied that signal priority for buses will not be possible at Coppins Bridge because it would worsen other traffic delays. However, other possibilities will be explored.

 

 

  1. Dina Jung from Wootton. Could bus drivers be remined not to brake hard approaching stops. This can cause standing passengers to fall over.

 

RT replied – yes, this issue will be looked at.

 

  1. Andrew Turner. Could the possibility of providing new stops for inbound services on South Street and Church Litten, Newport, be investigated?

 

SC replied that this has not been progressed as it would require support from SV. However, please write in to the IWC with the suggestion.

 

Stuart George closed the meeting at 12:30.

 

 

IWBRUG MEMBERS MEETING 28th JUNE 2025

 

Minutes of the meeting held at the Methodist Church Hall, Quay Street, Newport.

In attendance: the following Executive members – Stuart George (SG), Robert May (RM), Dina Jung (DJ) and James Nevell (JN) plus 14 ordinary members.

Apologies were received from John Yunnie and Stella Peterson.

Meeting opened at 11:15.

 

  1. Chairman’s Report SG

The Chairman attended the Wightlink Users’ Group (WUG) Public Meeting. Most of the questions related to the car ferries. However, an aim of the WUG is to improve co-ordination between ferries and rail/bus services, which is shared with the IWBRUG.

The IWBRUG Public Meeting will be held on Saturday 19th July in Newport Methodist Church (main building) at 11:00. Posters are available for putting in libraries and other public areas.

 

  1. Secretary’s Report (JN)

The IW Festival attracted an estimated 55,000 visitors in June 2025, with many arriving by bus. The special Festival buses departed from stand A at Ryde bus station, immediately outside the rail station/pier entrance, with route 9 services further away. More passengers therefore used the Festival buses, and route 9 services were not filled up, which could have affected other passengers, as happened in previous years.

The Government’s recent Public Spending Review announcement included a pledge to retain the £3 bus fare cap until March 2027, with revenue support provided to operators. This will be of benefit to IW passengers as many fares are normally above £3.

South Western Railway, which includes the Island Line has now been taken back into public (DfT) ownership. The implications of this for the Island Line are not yet clear.

The Horsebridge Hill diversion is still in force with buses being diverted as well during this weekend. Some road works in Newport bus station are reducing its capacity and route 9 services (to Ryde) are departing from a temporary stop on Church Litten. Route 1 services (to Cowes) are using the usual route 9 stand.

 

  1. Questions

Chris Biles reported that the current diversion of route 9 departures to Church Litten has been introduced at short notice and with insufficient prior information.

Phil Jelly commented that the IW bus fares are high. JN replied that this has been raised with Southern Vectis (SV) previously on 2 occasions. Andrew Turner warned that fare reductions (without revenue support subsidies) could affect the viability of commercial services and possible cause service reductions.



Roger Fordham asked if the IWBRUG could send its condolences to Andrew Wickham’s family. SG replied that he had already done this.

Roger Fordham mentioned a bus diversion in the West Wight area which was introduced at short notice with no information provided on SV’s website.

Robert May had asked the Island Line train guards if/when a 4-car train could be used at busy times. They had replied that a 4-car train would make fare collection more difficult and their preference is for a 3 train service running at either 30 or 20 minute intervals. Action: SG to discuss with Mark Dunn.

The additional route 8 service (to 2 buses / hour) is welcomed by Sandown residents.

Dina Jung is monitoring the operation (or not) of the “next stop announcements” on buses. She asked if IWBRUG could campaign against the lack of announcements in recent weeks. CB agreed and reported that he had written to Simon Moyes of SV about this issue but had received a reply stating that equipment and specialist staff had to be brought from the mainland to repair non-functioning systems.

Glenys Lloyd Williams asked if, following the recent route 2 diversion from Green Lane, alternate route 2 services could run via Whitecross Lane. RM replied that SV would likely be unwilling to do this because it would complicate the network and give some passengers longer waiting times.

Roger Fordham asked why SV customer service line is not manned on Saturdays. Action: SG to raise with SV.

Public Meeting at 11:00 on Saturday 19th July 2025

Meeting closed at 12:00.



 

Minutes of The Isle of Wight Bus and Rail Users Group Annual General Meeting held on the 1st March 2025 in the Methodist Church Hall, Newport, Isle of Wight.

In attendance the following Executive Committee members – Stuart George (SG), Robert May (RM), Dina Jung (DJ), John Yunnie (JY), James Nevell (JN), Rodney Archer (RA) and 15 ordinary members.

The Chairman (SG) opened the meeting at 11:15.

Items as per agenda.

Chaiman’s Report (SG)

The Isle of Wight Council (IWC) will receive £1.8m Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) grant from the Government – Department for Transport (DfT) in 2025-26. The IWBRUG will be consulted on how this money is spent.

South Western Railway (SWR), operators of the Island Line will be taken back into public ownership in May 2025. No immediate changes on Island Line are expected.

 

Membership Secretary’s Report (JY)

Membership has increased during 2024 and now stands at:

2 life members

39 ordinary members

3 organisation or corporate members viz: the Association of IW Councils, Chale Parish Council and IW Tramways.

 

Treasurer’s Report (JY)

The IWBRUG Accounts for last year (2024) have been sent to members.

Our bank balance has increased by £200 during 2024.

However, the cost of hiring the Methodist Church Hall for monthly meetings is not being covered by the membership subscriptions. The two public meetings held each year, for which the Newport Methodist Church (main building) is hired, and including press advertising, cost approximately £240. No advertisements were shown on the bus “next stop announcement” screens this year.

The IWBRUG costs exceed subscription income leaving it dependent on donations, which is unlikely to be sustainable beyond the short term. Decisions will have to be taken to address this issue at some point.

Sarah Innes asked if the subscription could be raised above the present £5 a year.

JY replied that it is likely that the IWBRUG could lose members as living costs generally are rising.

RM suggested that a donation tin could be put out at meetings.

SG and JY agreed that this possibility is worth considering.

Phil Jelly (PJ) suggested that a letter could be sent covering the public meeting to the local newspapers? This could help promote awareness of the group and raise its profile without incurring advertising costs.

The accounts were accepted by a unanimous vote of members present.

 

Election of the Executive Committee

All members of the Executive Committee (SG, RM, DJ, JY and RA stood for re-election for 2025-26.

No other candidates were nominated.

All Executive Committee members were re-elected by a unanimous vote of members present.

 

Matters arising

JY reported that Lloyds Bank, where the IWBRUG has its account, will no longer offer free banking to charities and small community groups like the IWBRUG from mid-2025. A £4 / month charge and transaction charges will apply. No other bank is offering free banking so, JY recommends staying with Lloyds.

DJ replied that the Co-op Bank does still offer free banking to small charities and community groups, but it has no branches on the IW. RM reported that the Co-op Bank facilitates payments and withdrawals through Post Offices in areas where there are no branches.

Action: JY to investigate possible use of the Co-op Bank.

 

Phil Jelly (PJ) proposed an amendment to the IWBRUG constitution. Paragraph 4(4) of the constitution reads:

“Members should not mention their membership of the group in any dealings with other organisations without first seeking the approval of the Executive Committee".

It is proposed that it is amended to read:

"Members, if asked to represent the group by any other organisation, should first seek the approval of the Executive Committee. Requests from the media, or press in particular, must be referred to the Executive Committee". 

The intention is to encourage members to promote the group and increase awareness of its existence and purposes, which could attract new members.

Ian Ward supported the amendment but stressed that members should keep to agreed IWBRUG positions on the issues concerned.

The members present voted unanimously in favour of the proposal. There were no votes against and no abstentions.

 

DJ asked if the IWBRUG could apply to Southern Vectis for a community group support grant. SG replied that this would be discussed at the next Executive Committee Meeting.

 

AGM closed. Next AGM will be held on 27th February 2026.

 

 

 

Minutes of The Isle of Wight Bus and Rail Users Group Members’ Meeting held on the 1st March 2025 in the Methodist Church Hall, Newport, Isle of Wight.

 

Attendees as per the AGM – listed above.

 

Secretary’s Report (JN)

Road works have affected several bus routes in recent weeks with diversions and temporary traffic lights extending travel times. However, Southern Vectis have put diversion notices on stops and provided details on their website.

On Ryde Pier, progress continues with replacing the railway pier decking on the western side. This should be completed in time for reopening in May.

The regional transport body Transport for the South East (TfSE) is consulting the public and interested parties on its transport strategy. The IWBRUG is to respond to this consultation.

The Government is proposing to reorganise some of the local authorities in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight areas. It is also proposing, as part of its Devolution policy, to create a new Strategic Mayoral Authority to cover Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight. There are likely to be impacts on IW transport services, but details are not yet available.

 

Membership Secretary/Treasurer’s Report (JY)

The Wightlink FastCat ships which operate the Portsmouth – Ryde passenger ferry will be taken out of service for repairs from next Tuesday for 8 days. A replacement vessel is to be hired to maintain the service.

 

Members’ Questions

  1. Could the IWBRUG work with the Wightlink User Group on issues regarding ferry – rail/bus connections?

SG replied that there had been no liaison between the groups as yet. PJ commented that WUG are a “protest” group. JY reported that WUG are mainly concerned about with the car ferries rather than the passenger ferries, which are of interest to IWBRUG.

 

Sarah Innes, a member of WUG, asked if more information could be provided regarding connections between some services on route 9 and the car ferry at Fishbourne.

 

Diana Conyers asked if a WUG representative could be invited to meet with the IWBRUG Executive Committee?

Action: SG to contact WUG with a view to liaising with them and have invited a representative of the group to our committee meeting on 8th April.

 

  1. Could IWBRUG ask Southern Vectis (SV) to divert 1 route 9 service per hour to serve Fishbourne car ferry terminal to set down/pick up foot passengers?

SG replied that this possibility has been raised with SV previously. However, Richard Tyldesley had decided not to proceed with it because it would to be too complicated to arrange with staff rosters and would need an additional bus (with driver) to operate the service. SG indicated that this possibility could be raised again.

 

  1. During the recent closure of the railway between Portsmouth Harbour and Havant for track renewal work, the passenger information for the rail replacement bus service was poor. This affected IW residents and visitors.

SG replied that this could be raised with South Western Railway (SWR).

Action: SG to raise with SWR.

 

  1. The new bus shelters at Ryde Interchange are too small to accommodate the numbers of waiting passengers. Could IWBRUG ask the IW Council to provide more covered waiting accommodation?

Action: SG to raise with the IWC.

 

  1. Island Line trains have recently been cancelled at short notice with no rail ticket acceptance on bus routes 2 & 3. Could IWBRUG raise this with SWR?

When the Island Line service is not running, only an hourly replacement bus is provided, which does not run at the same times as the train. Could IWBRUG raise this with SWR?

 

Island Line passenger announcements are made from the Basingstoke signal control centre and are not updated often enough. Could IWBRUG raise this with SWR?

Action: SG to raise these issues with SWR.

 

  1. Next stop announcements on buses are not always provided. The equipment seems to be unreliable.

Action: SG to raise with SV.

 

Meeting closed at 12:30.

 

The next members’ meeting will be held on 29th March 2025.