TRANSPORT SECTION

A significant proportion of the Isle of Wight bus network depends upon financial support from the Council. Many evening and Sunday services, including some connecting the Island’s principal towns, depend upon such subsidy or they would not be provided at all. Similarly many deep rural services, such as those serving Yafford, Bonchurch, Porchfield or Newtown only exist through continuing subsidy.

Operators Southern Vectis and Wightbus currently operate subsidised services on the Council’s behalf.

Extensive consultation with bodies such as the Parish and Town Councils, the Isle of Wight Bus Users Group, the Quality Transport Partnership, together with the views of the bus operators and of individual passengers, inform our decisions on network planning.

Our staff also administrates the Council’s concessionary fares schemes for people aged over 60, young people and people with certain disabilities. Click here for all Public Transport timetables

From 1st April 2008 the new national bus concession will enable eligible users to get free off-peak travel on local buses anywhere in England as well as free travel at any time on local buses on the Isle of Wight. Island residents who qualify for this concession will also be entitled to free travel when using Island Line trains. For more information about eligibility visit www.direct.gov.uk/buspass

The Student Rider scheme is for all Isle of Wight resident young people aged 5-19 who are in full time education. Card holders may travel on any participating operator’s local bus services on the Isle of Wight or on Island Line Train services for the single fare of £1.00 at anytime on any day of the week.

Our Public Transport staff also has an increasing involvement in the preparation, updating and distribution of public transport information.

We are responsible for maintaining and updating Isle of Wight bus information on the national website at www.traveline.org.uk .
If you wish to contact us then please call (01983) 821000 Ext 5785