Along chalk-white roads where sea winds roam,
The green bus links each village home,
From Brighstone trees to Cowes quay lights,
Old friends swap news on winter nights.
Through Ryde and Shanklin, rain or snow,
Familiar drivers wave hello,
Each stop a knot in ties that bind,
As island hearts ride warm and kind.
I know, I know, the ditty writing is getting worse. I really should get an intern who is working towards an English Poetry degree or something. On the plus side there are no AI generated pictures of the Isle of Wight yet.
The Isle of Wight was one of the first areas outside London that I remember running buses on Christmas Day. It was a vague memory of there being a free service run by volunteers where donations were accepted for a charity
Christmas Eve – Wednesday 24th December
Southern Vectis will run a normal Wednesday timetable on Christmas Eve with some drivers even being able to stop their bus and admire overhead as Santa, his reindeer, and presents fly overhead at midnight.
Christmas Day
Southern Vectis will be running it’s usual small network of bus services for the Island’s residents on five routes:
- 1 Newport to Cowes via Round House (towards Cowes) and the Park & Ride (towards Newport)
- Hourly service from approx 0900 to 2300
- 3 Newport – Ventnor – Sandown – Ryde
- Hourly service from approx 0800 to midnight
- 5 Newport to East Cowes
- 5 round trips between 1000 and 2000
- 7 Newport to Yarmouth and Totland (via Shalfleet)
- 5 round trips between 1000 and 2200
- 9 Newport to Ryde via Medina or Staplers
- Hourly between 0800 and midnight (alternating via Medina or Staplers)
The usual excellent Southern Vectis Christmas Day leaflet is available to download online.
Boxing Day – Friday 26th December
The Island Buses will run a full Sunday service on Boxing Day
Saturday 27th to Tuesday 30th December
Southern Vectis will be running their normal services across the Island between Christmas and New Year. As usual there are no reduced Saturday frequencies like other operators and brands.
New Years Eve
Southern Vectis will also be running their normal Wednesday service on New Years Eve, although they will also run their weekend night buses across the Island on services N1, N3, N5 and N9.
New Years Day – Thursday 1st January
A full Sunday service will run.
Friday 2nd January
It will all be over for another year and the normal service resumes.