Late-night bus services in rural areas of the Isle of Wight could continue as more money is funnelled into the Island’s only bus service.
Another bus could also be added to route 5 service, from Newport to East Cowes, meaning it would operate four buses an hour.
The cash pot of £580,000 has come from government, in its Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding, which has been allocated to the Isle of Wight Council.
The council would then pay Southern Vectis to provide the extra services within the next two years.
Late-night services on routes 6 and 12 were introduced mid-way through last year and help more isolated communities enjoy the Island’s evening economy.
The two routes serve Gatcombe, Chillerton, Chale, Niton and Whitwell as well as Shorwell, Brighstone, Brook, Freshwater and Totland.
To put one additional journey on each of the services to and from Newport for a year costs £45,750.
The plan is also proposing to use £53,500 to keep routes 6 and 12 at its existing service levels during the winter months — October to March — when it previously would have been reduced.
The Isle of Wight Council has said route 5 would benefit from an increased journey frequency as it already has more passengers compared to other routes.
With £150,000 of funding over two years, the authority has said it will kickstart the additional journey per hour, afterwards Southern Vectis will commit to operating it for at least another year.
The Isle of Wight Council adopted the Bus Service Improvement Plan in October 2021 and has been working with the bus company.
A decision about the funding will be made by Cllr Phil Jordan, the Isle of Wight Council leader and cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, no earlier than February 22.
PCC Urges People To Hand In Blades To Curb Knife Crime Epidemic
Isle Of Wight Council Signs Tobacco Control Declaration In Commitment To Smoke-Free Future
Hoarding Removed From Ryde Interchange To Reveal Smart Glazed Exterior
Levelling Up Minister Pays Visit To Isle Of Wight To Address £20m Ryde Investment Plans
HRH The Princess Royal Meets East Wight Primary School Children Learning To Sail In Seaview
Maritime Units Heading For Isle Of Wight Armed Forces Day
Funding Boost For Council Chairman's Chosen Charity
Medina Way Works In Place This Sunday
Islander Georgie To Star On BBC1's Great British Sewing Bee
Labour's West Wight Candidate Outlines Island Plan
Scam Warnings Issued For Isle Of Wight
Islanders Invited To Take Part In Charity Fire Walk For St Catherine’s
New Company To Bid For Digital Radio Licence On The Isle Of Wight
Police Respond To Anti-Social Behaviour Involving Electric Motorbikes In Puckpool
New Records Set Following ‘Extraordinary’ Walk The Wight
Appeal Launched Following Ryde Cashpoint Theft
Islanders Urged To Make Sure They're 'Emergency Ready'
Cast Your Vote For New Sea Defence Scheme To Win People's Choice Award
Operation Sceptre - A Number Of Surrender Bins Across Isle Of Wight
Man Jailed For Ryde Burglary And Knife Offences
