New school buses unveiled

By a County Press reporter

Friday, January 4, 2013

Southern Vectis unveils a new fleet of Isle of Wight school buses. From left Alex Waterman, Wayne Coulter, Andrew Wickham, Matt Kitchin, Kevin Arnell and Nigel Harris. Pictue by Laura Holme.

THE latest buses to join Southern Vectis's Isle of Wight school fleet have been introduced today (Friday).

The 20 double deck buses join 17 single deck vehicles introduced earlier this year.

The £5.8m investment followed a deal with the Isle of Wight Council to provide school bus services for eight years.

A spokesman said the buses were powered by eco-friendly engines and equipped with CCTV, seatbelts, digital destination displays and low-floor access for wheelchairs.

Andrew Wickham, Go Ahead's managing director for bus and coach operations in the south, said: "We are really pleased to be able to offer these safer and more environmentally friendly vehicles to carry many of the Isle of Wight’s children to and from schools."

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by Don Prescott

6th January 2013, at 16:12:38

Stephen,
Free?

They cost £300,000 EACH.
Compare that with £190,000 for the old "normal" double deckers, but, of course THESE buses are Ego Friendly and allegedly are around 20% more fuel efficient than the cheaper buses.

Based on that, the "normal" buses could spend £549,999 on diesel and STILL be cheaper to run.

But, hey, these are "eco-friendly" and nowadays, thats all that seems to count.

Make NO mistake, like Ego-island, this is just a stunt!

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by Stephen Elliott

6th January 2013, at 14:24:44

Are these school buses free?

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by Mike Crowe

5th January 2013, at 11:27:33

I liked the colour of the old Enterpise Bus Company. Some of you not been here long enough to remember them though.

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by Philip Yates

5th January 2013, at 10:31:09

I hope we dont get to see any school kids on the green buses then... as they have the nice shiny blue buses.
Must admit though, the blue colour scheme is far better than that green.

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by michael reed

5th January 2013, at 09:18:41

It would have been better to give all school age children free passes to and from school only. They can let pensoners travel for free but they don't have to go to school which is compulsary. This would ease congestion on roads and children would be safer in and around school sites with no cars about

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by Chris Firth

5th January 2013, at 07:25:48

Ask the right question £5.8 INVESTMENT....for what cost to the council taxpayer for the service, its an investment to make money they are not altruistic , they will make a profit on their INVESTMENT

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by Dan Skelton

5th January 2013, at 02:07:41

So they can afford £5.8m on new buses, but not to keep their fares low & charge ridiculous prices? Makes sense.

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by William Gough

4th January 2013, at 23:04:44

Nice to see this investment, but what about the existing green "cattle trucks" on some routes?

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by Alan Bennett

4th January 2013, at 19:17:51

It's a shame we have to let the kids loose on them!