Bus passengers set to benefit from millions in infrastructure funding

Isle of Wight bus passengers are set to benefit as it has been confirmed that the Isle of Wight Council will receive millions in funding each year to boost services and infrastructure.

The Government announced today (Friday, 5 December) that millions of passengers in the South East are set to benefit from a £369 million boost for services and infrastructure.

The Isle of Wight Council and other local authorities in the region are set to receive millions in funding each single year up to 2028/29, which can be spent however councils want to spend it.

Funding is set to further projects in the council’s published Bus Service Improvement Delivery Plan, with improvements to cross Island routes, integration with other transport operations and enhanced local town services.

Funding also follows multi-million-pound improvement works at Ryde Transport Interchange, which saw the Esplanade bus interchange being remodelled to make it safer for buses to manoeuvre, among other changes.

Likewise, the 31 electric buses to the Island which will be in operation from spring 2026.

This announcement will also compliment the Island Green Link project which is already due to enhance travel between Ryde and Yarmouth by improving cycling, walking and bus routes while also making accessibility improvements.

Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, chair of the economy, regeneration, transport and infrastructure committee, said: “Bus travel impacts almost every part of life on the Island.

“They are vital for our local communities, our schools, towns, the environment and for our local economy.

“We are committed to ensuring a sustainable and efficient bus service for all and this funding will help advance projects to achieve this.”

Stewart Chandler, the council’s transport strategy manager, said: “We are very happy to see multi-year bus funding allocations for local authorities announced this week following previous settlements and Government funding for the multi-million pound improvement works at Ryde Transport Interchange.

“The funding will also compliment further projects currently underway as part of the Bus Service Improvement Delivery Plan, such as the introduction of 31 electric buses and the Island Green Link.”