I know, I know. When Southern Vectis say the C-word, they pretty much copy and paste last years excellent timetable, change the date to the following year, and rinse and repeat.
While on the Isle of Wight this week though, I have managed to pick up a copy of the new timetable booklet and low and behold; a full Chr… chr… CHRISTMAS season of timetables was in black and white. So let’s kick off an early season; while I await that Christmas present in the post, and copy and paste last years timetables:
Hang on: Sorry: Forgot the cheesy Christmas interlude to start things off….
I saw mummy kissing a bus driver,
Under the mistletoe last night,
She didn’t see me creep
down the stairs to peep;
She thought that I was tucked
up in the top front seat.
It only goes downhill from here…..
Friday 23 December – Normal Friday timetable operates today, including nightbuses
Christmas Eve – A normal Saturday timetable runs Christmas Eve, except there are NO NIGHT BUSES – You can not see Santa from the top deck of the bus, sorry.
Christmas Day – Special Service:
- Service 1 between Newport and Cowes will run hourly from 9am to 9pm (from Newport)
- Service 3 around the Island from Newport to Ryde (via Rookley, Ventnor, Shanklin and Brading) runs hourly from 8am Newport /8.30am Ryde to 10pm/10.30pm
- Service 5 from Newport to East Cowes has 5 round trips
- Service 7 from Newport to Shalfleet, Yarmouth and Totland (no Calbourne, Wellow or Needles today) also has 5 round trips
- Service 9 from Ryde to Wooton and Newport will hourly from 8am to 9pm from Newport
That is a shocking disappointment. I am on the Isle of Wight for Christmas Day this year and someone needs to divert a few buses my way….. please.
Boxing Day & Tuesday 27th December – Sunday Service
Wednesday 28th, Thursday 29th & Friday 30th December – Normal Weekday Timetables
New Years Eve – A normal Saturday timetable complete with a normal Saturday Nightbus Service
New Years Day & Monday 2nd January 2023 – Sunday Service
Tuesday 3rd January – Normal timetables resume.
Now, I can not see a weblink for the Christmas services yet, nor a “web-print” for download. YOU KNOW that by the time that the links are available, I would have forgotten to check!
I`ve seen the new timetable book and every year the Christmas Day services are identical and they always run a normal service between Christmas and New year(Exc;Bank Holiday`s).
If it isn’t broke, there is no point trying to break it!