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.
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