SOUTHERN VECTIS - ARE THEY AS GOOD AS THEY MAKE OUT?

Many islanders, as well as tourists, will have had their fair share of experiences from Southern Vectis bus services, from buses catching fire, to drivers forgetting stops, we've all been there.  But are they as bad as they seem? 

Southern Vectis are the monopoly transport provider that operates on the Island Roads, with support from the council to sustain their business. As this is the unfortunate reality, residents of the island have no choice in regards to other forms of bus travel, where as on the mainland operators such as First Group and Stagecoach provide choice for consumers. This monopoly on the Island leads to customers paying unreasonable prices , for example, an adult return to Newport from Ryde is £7.00! This unjustifiable pricing doesn't create a positive image for the company, considering an adult cash single in London is £2.40!  

If a company is going to charge this much, you'd expect a quality service, however the green tubs that dot around the island tend to be driven by unpredictable drivers. Drivers have been known to miss stops, be rude to passengers and drive inconsiderately, such as skipping lights and speeding. This style of driving and lack of care for the customer portrays a negative image over the company and the council, but, as there is no other choice, consumers still obey to their ever dictating ways. 

These factors need to be looked into deeply to help restore faith in the people that depend on this service, whether its for commuting or leisure services. However, its not all bad news for the firm.

The firm has had a big focus on helping the environment. By investing heavily in newer, larger vehicles,  these buses are not only more accessible, they also emit fewer greenhouse gases. Across their fleet, 26% of vehicles now have Euro 4 or Euro 5 engines, which meet the latest European standards. In addition to this, timetables have been changed so that buses are more frequent, creating for a more accessible way to travel.

With this increase in services, the company has broadened out to provide community bus services, such as the Wootton central service. These community run, local services that connect more frequent buses to outreach areas are helping to connect areas of the Island as well as broaden a sense of community. 

Overall, although the firm has focused highly on the environment and attempted at community work, their almost dictatorship over customers needs to be looked at, as well as a much required improvement in customer service!