Isle of Wight Bus & Rail Users' Group

DRAFT Minutes of The Isle of Wight Bus and Rail Users Group Public Meeting held on the 19^th 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. 

2. 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

5. 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.

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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. Electric buses are due to start running in March 2026. Works at Newport (Nelson Road) depot to install charging equipment will start on 26^th 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

3. 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.

4. Ryde Pier reopened to trains on 2^nd 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.

5. 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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

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

12. 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.

13. 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.

2. 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.

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

RT replied that he would investigate this.

4. 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.

 

 

2. 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.

 

 

3. 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.

 

4. 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.

 

5. 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.

 

2. 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.

 

 

6. 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.

 

2. 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.

 

3. 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.

 

 

7. 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.

 

8. 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.

 

2. 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.

 

 

9. 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.

 

 

10. 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.

 

11. 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.

 

 

12. 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.

 

2. 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.

13. John Yunnie from Wootton.

 

1. Could Island Line closure dates be confirmed?

 

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

 

2. 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.

 

 

14. 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.

 

15. 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 28^th 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 19^th July in Newport Methodist Church (main building) at 11:00. Posters are available for putting in libraries and other public areas.

 

2. 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.

 

3. 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 19^th July 2025

Meeting closed at 12:00.

 

Minutes of The Isle of Wight Bus and Rail Users Group Annual General Meeting held on the 1^st 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 27^th February 2026.

 

 

 

Minutes of The Isle of Wight Bus and Rail Users Group Members’ Meeting held on the 1^st 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.

 

2. 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.

 

3. 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.

 

4. 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.

 

5. 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.

 

6. 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 29^th March 2025.

 

 

 

Minutes of The Isle of Wight Bus and Rail Users Group Public Meeting held on the 25^th January 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

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

37 members of the public attended in person and 3 on line.

Apologies were received from Stewart Chandler, Transport Department Manager at the IW Council.

 

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. 

2. 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.

 

3. Information received from Stewart Chandler was that the IWC and Southern Vectis have submitted a further bid to the UK Department for Transport for Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) funds for £1.8m to deliver a further 8 battery electric buses. If approved, these buses would be used on routes 4 Ryde – East Cowes, 8 Ryde Bembridge – Sandown – Newport and 37 Ryde – Binstead. Questions for the IW Council can be asked, and we will forward them to Stewart Chandler.

 

Richard Tyldesley, Southern Vectis

1. Passenger numbers continue to grow. The numbers of English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) passengers is now increasing again, along with fare paying passengers, following a period of static levels.

 

2. The DfT funded £2 fare cap has helped with the recovery in fare paying passenger numbers. This cap was increased to £3 from 1^st January 2025. All fares are now caped at £3 and most paying passengers are benefiting from a discount compared to 2019 levels. The DfT has not yet indicated if or how the cap will be changed in 2026.

 

3. A total of 22 ZEBRA funded new battery electric buses should enter service in March 2026. These double deck buses will have an interior finish similar to the new buses on route 1 Newport – Cowes. An additional bid for funding for a further 9 battery electric buses, for use on routes 4, 8 and 37 has been submitted to the DfT. A funding decision is expected to be made in early February 2025.

 

4. Seven double deck buses (built 2016) have been transferred to the IW from Go South Coast’s Poole depot to replace older vehicles. These are being used on routes 7 and 12 Newport – Alum Bay. No further changes to the fleet are planned for 2025.

 

5. The summer 2025 timetable will include minor changes only. These include an early morning route 3 Newport – Ventnor – Ryde service into Ryde. The Island Coaster route may be operated for longer, depending on a review.

 

6. The Downs Breezer open-top route is under review because fewer passengers travelled on it in 2024 compared to previous years.

 

7. The IW Council Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) fund, awarded by the DfT, has been used to deliver a frequency increase on route 5 Newport – East Cowes from a 20-minute interval to a 15-minute interval. Evening services on route 6 Newport – Ventnor and 12 Newport – Alum Bay are also funded.

 

8. A new round of BSIP revenue support funded service improvements will start in April 2025. Options for enhancements include:

 

1. • Route 8 Ryde – Bembridge – Sandown – Newport.     Sandown -  Newport frequency Increase from hourly to every 30 minutes; and

   • Improvements to Newport town route 38 and 39 services.

 

9. BSIP capital funding could be used to deliver new or improved bus shelters and signal priority for buses at junctions.

 

10. Bus service reliability and punctuality has been good despite recent roadworks disrupting traffic and causing delays.

 

11. The Southern Vectis app now includes a notification of service issues on particular routes, which are selected by the user. This app is proving to be very popular.

 

Mark Dunn – Island Line

1. Service delivery has been good recently. 60 train services / day have been run throughout the last 4 weeks. There are now only around 25 services cancelled every 4 weeks This compares well with 2023/24 when many services were cancelled due to train wheel wear and staff shortages. 97.5% of trains ran less than 3 minutes late.

2. Passenger numbers in 2024 are significantly up now that the timetable is being achieved. Patronage in January 2025 was the same as that in January 2024 despite Ryde Pier being closed for repairs.

 

3. The structural repairs to Ryde railway pier are due to be completed by 4^th May 2025, when reopening is scheduled.

 

4. The cliff path pedestrian crossing of the rail line at Lake will be closed in March 2025 for replacement of the gates.

 

5. The train wheel wear rates (due to track issues) are now back to levels seen on the previous (class 483) units. This has been achieved by track repair work.

 

6. A 4-car train (2 units) has been running on-test (not in service) during the last few weeks. This is part of an investigation into the possible operation of a 4-car train during summer 2025 to reduce crowding levels at busy times.

 

7. The new trains cannot (at present) run from Ryde Pier Head – Shanklin (calling at all stations) in a short enough time to enable a 30-minute interval service to be delivered. A feasibility study is in progress to try to identify possible measures to reduce the train running times. The report will be shared with the DfT for potential future funding if resources are available.

 

8. South Western Railway, operator of Island Line, is due to be nationalised on 30^th April 2025. It will be managed by DfTO. No immediate impacts on Island Line are expected. It is possible that through ticketing to other parts of the country could potentially be improved.

 

Questions

1. Stuart Marton from Havenstreet asked if a bus route could be provided to the village.

Richard Tyldesley (RT) replied that there is insufficient travel demand to warrant a bus service to Havenstreet. However, a service could be provided if SV received BSIP revenue support funding to cover the expected losses.

 

2. Rob Farley from Havenstreet asked if route 37 Ryde – Binstead could be extended to serve Havenstreet IWSR station every 2 hours.

RT replied that SV have investigated this previously and found that it would also require revenue support funding.

 

3. Peter Turner from Porchfield asked if a bus route could be provided to the village and Thorness Bay holiday centre, possibly being new a Cowes – Yarmouth direct route. A feasibility study into the possible viability of this suggestion would be welcomed.

RT replied that there is insufficient travel demand in the area to warrant such a service. However, SV could provide a quotation for the level of revenue support funding that could be needed to cover expected losses.

 

4. Lynn Salts asked if route 4 Ryde – East Cowes services could be increased from hourly to every half hour.

RT replied that route 5 Newport - East Cowes passenger numbers have increased by 15% following its increase from 20-minute to 15-minute intervals. However, increasing route 4 to half-hourly would require an additional bus, the cost of which would not be expected to be recovered from additional revenue. However, this possible use of BSIP revenue support funding could be investigated.

 

5. Noreen from East Cowes asked if some route 5 services could be diverted to run via York Avenue to reduce the walking distances of some passengers.

RT replied that this possibility had been investigated previously. However, it was decided to retain the present route to maintain simplicity, which is important to passengers.

 

6. Sarah Innes from Ryde reported that the buses are not stopping next to the flag at the stop in Cross Street, Ryde, which causes passenger confusion.

RT replied that the pole and shelter are owned by IWC, but this will be looked at.

 

7. Diana Conyers representing Ryde Town Council and the IW Association of Local Councils.

1. Why have the new café and shop units at Ryde Interchange not been let?

Mark Dunn (MD) replied that no interest had been shown in the shop unit. However, several potential tenants have expressed an interest in the café. After SWR’s nationalisation, a new tenancy agreement will be needed, however.

2. The new sliding doors to Ryde Pier walkway are sometimes locked out of use – why is this?

MD replied that this is due to high winds. However, the issue is being looked at with the IWC.

 

8. Richard Loin of St Helens complained that the new shelters at Ryde Interchange are too small to accommodate waiting passengers (only room for 6 people) and that 1 mobility scooter typically occupies half of a shelter. Larger sheltered waiting areas are needed.

This question was passed to the IWC, the owners of Ryde Interchange.

 

9. Dina Jung asked how SV know if demand will be insufficient to warrant a new bus route to an area?

RT replied that the patronage forecasts are based on local population levels and passenger numbers on existing routes.

 

10. Lisa Peterson of St Helens

1. Route 8 Ryde – Bembridge – Sandown – Newport services do not connect well with those on other routes. Could this be changed?

RT replied that route 8 connects with other routes at Ryde, Sandown and Newport. However, routes are reviewed every 6 months, so this can be looked into.

2. Could discounted bus fares be offered to visitors with holiday accommodation as part of a deal?

RT replied that SV has a partnership with Visit Isle of Wight which includes promotions with discounted group travel.

 

11. Chris Biles

1. Could a tourist tax could be levied on visitors to pay for free public transport for tourists?

2. What will the consequences of the recently announced devolution proposals be for transport?

These questions were passed to the IWC.

 

12. Janet from East Cowes asked if the ENCTS was to be abolished.

RT replied that he had not heard of this possibility being discussed.

 

13. Derek from Ventnor reported that buses often brake hard and abruptly.

RT replied that he would investigate this.

 

14. Roy from Ryde asked if bus drivers could announce when a service was being diverted.

RT replied that it would be difficult to expect all drivers to do this.

 

Stuart George closed the meeting at 12:30.