‘Scene’ on the Isle of Wight (IOW) Part 2.

 

T165 AUA

A DAF CB220LC550 with an Ikarus Citibus body. Known as the ‘Beast’ by those who have experience of it !! 

 

The combination of a Dutch chassis with an Hungarian built body is to say the least unusual. It is the only one of its kind with ‘Southern Vectis’ (SV) and a such was never going to be wildly popular.

 

Before coming to the island it had a spell in the Southampton area with fellow Go Ahead (GA) group member ‘Bluestar’.

 

Seen in Newport bus station, I suspect that it will turn up elsewhere sooner or later.

The year 2004 was a good year for the Plaxton Pointer bodied Dennis/Transbus Dart in both its standard form and the MPD version. All of the ones I saw dated from that year.

 

HW54 DBZ 

An MPD version came into the SV fleet when they took over the operations of ‘Wightbus‘ which was an IOW County Council owned operator in 2011. Seen leaving Newport bus station. 

 

Interestingly, this bus has been modeled by Creative Master Northcord Ltd. (CMNL) in 1/76 scale in its ‘Wightbus‘ livery.

 

 HW54 BTU

Another Plaxton MP Dart seen leaving Newport bus station. This has also has been modeled by CMNL this time in an earlier SV livery. Seen leaving Newport bus station.

 

 

HW54 DCU

A standard length Dart/ Plaxton Pointer 2 combination is another bus that came to SV from ‘Wightbus’. Seen in fading light leaving Ryde bus station.

 

EA05 KZC

A Ford Transit Tourneo. Not all service vehicles make it into fleet livery. This one did. Seen in Newport bus station.

 

In July 2012 an eight year contract was signed with the Isle of Wight County Council which gave SV all the school services on the island. These buses are all fitted with CCTV and seat belts.  

A mixture of types were to be used. In autumn 2012, 17 new Optare Solo SR’s were introduced. The are of mixed seating capacity with No. 3803 to 3812 inclusive being B25F and 3813 to 3819 being B30F.

All of the school buses are marketed as ‘Vectis blue’

 

HW62 CGF 

HW62 CNV

 

 

Apart from the Solo’s, I saw a number of coaches have been transferred from ‘Damory Coaches’ another GA group member.

 

MV02 ULL

Is a Volvo B12M with Van Hool Alizee T9 bodywork. Before being with Damory, It was with ‘Shearings’

 

 

 

Delivered in 2013 were 20 low height Alexander E40D double deckers.

 

It would seem that the deckers are used exclusively on schools services whilst the Solo’s and coaches are also used on normal day time services in between school trips.

 

HW62 CCD

Is seen at Ryde bus station

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

'Scene' on the Isle of Wight part 1

Over the years, I have visited the IOW a number of times. I recently enjoyed a five day break there and as usual, I had a look at what was on offer on the transport scene.

 

The main bus operator is ‘Southern Vectis’ (SV). A National Bus Company (NBC) subsidiary when I first visited the island and since 2005 part of the ‘Go Ahead’ (GA) group.

 

The Romans christened the IOW ‘Vectis’. The ‘Vectis Omnibus Company’ came into being in 1923 when local operator ‘Dodsons’ assumed the title.

 

In 1929, the Southern Railway bought this company and added the prefix ‘Southern’.

 

As can be expected from GA, the current fleet is equipped with modern vehicles to provide an excellent service around the island.

 

For what is basically a rural community, there are a surprising number of double deck buses in the fleet which no doubt reflects the islands success in attracting holiday visitors like myself.

 

As the map shows, the East of the Island has the biggest concentration of bus routes with services radiating out from Newport and Ryde where purpose built bus stations are found. Indeed Ryde bus station is adjacent to the railway station and the Hovercraft terminal and as such can be termed a ‘Transport interchange’. A term much loved by politicians.

 

Green was the basic livery in NBC days and this colour is still the most common however blue is coming more into use. More of

which anon!!

 

 

 

This view shows the relationship between the buses, trains and Hovercraft at Ryde. The railway line runs out to the end of the pier where it further connects with ferries to the mainland.

 

 

 

The oldest double deckers on display during my visit were 52 registration plate vehicles. 

 

YU52 XVL

 

A Scania N94UD with East Lancashire OmniDekka bodywork is one of a batch of 5 that came from fellow GA group member ‘Metrobus’ where it carried the red London livery.

 

Other 52 plate ‘deckers were from a batch of seven that were new in 1992. HW52 EPK and HW52 EPN both Volvo B7TL’s with Plaxton President bodies.

 

 

 

Later deliveries came in 2008 and 2009. These being Scania OmniCity CN270UD’s with Scania OmniCity bodies.

 

HW58 ARZ 

HW08 AOS

 

Deliveries in 2009 were of similar vehicles.

 

HW09 BAA 

 

HW09 BBU

                                                          

Retaining the colours of another SV subsidiary ‘Moss Motor Tours’. DW498 WGH is another Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TL that came from GA London.

 

On all the Presidents I travelled on, the upper deck ceilings are covered in the same moquette as the seats and some retain the dual doors from their service in London.

 

 

EA05 KZC

 

A Ford Transit Tourneo service van stands in Newport bus station. Not all service vehicles make it into fleet livery. This one did.