Southern Vectis#History

{{multiple image

| align = right

| direction = vertical

| width = 220

| image1 = Vectistillinglettering.png

| width1 =

| alt1 =

| caption1 = Tilling Group gold lettering pre-1972

| image2 = Svnbclogo.png

| width2 =

| alt2 =

| caption2 = National Bus Company (1972–1986)

| image3 =

| width3 =

| alt3 =

| caption3 = After privatisation in 1986 until 1995

| image4 =

| width4 =

| alt4 =

| caption4 = The logo used from 1995 until 2006

| image5 = Svlogo.svg

| width5 =

| alt5 =

| caption5 = The logo used from 2006 until 2013

| header = Past lettering and logos

| header_align =

| header_background =

| footer =

| footer_align =

| footer_background =

| background color =

| caption6 = The logo used from 2013 until 2023

| image6 = Southern Vectis logo.svg

}}

In 1921 in Cowes, the company was founded as Dodson & Campbell.{{Cite report|title=The Southern Vectis Omnibus Company Limited: Refusal to allow access to Newport Bus Station, Isle of Wight|author=The Director General of Fair Trading|year=1988|publisher=Office of Fair Trading}} In 1923, it was renamed the Vectis Bus Company. Vectis was the Roman name for the Isle of Wight. The buses were built by the London bus body builder, Christopher Dodson.

File:Southern Vectis NBC bus Bristol VR ECW ODL 657R and others in Ryde depot, Isle of Wight August 1979.jpg

File:Southern Vectis 863 TDL563K.jpg bodied Bristol RE in post 1995 cream, red and green livery, June 2008]]

In 1929, the company was purchased by Southern Railway and incorporated as the Southern Vectis Omnibus Company Limited.[http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/00241973 Companies House extract company no 241973] The Southern Vectis Omnibus Company Limited

In 1948, Southern Railway was nationalised and then in 1969, Southern Vectis became part of the National Bus Company.

In 1986, with deregulation after the Transport Act 1985, the business was sold in a management buy out.[http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/02005917 No. 2005917] Companies House data.[https://web.archive.org/web/20130530142917/http://islandbuses.info/about.shtml Who we are] Southern Vectis Five new operators entered the market on the Isle of Wight.

In 1987, Southern Vectis started Badger Vectis in Poole, and Solent Blue Line in Southampton. The new operations used older Southern Vectis buses and secondhand double-deckers.[https://web.archive.org/web/20130806093800/http://bluestarbus.co.uk/company-info.shtml We are bluestar] Bluestar Bus company. Southern Vectis also moved into other business areas on the isle of Wight. The company bought a self-drive van hire firm. It also bought two Ford Granada taxis, which ran from the Cowes pontoon, and began taxibus services which continued until 1989.{{cite book|title=Southern Vectis: The First 60 Years|last= Newman|first= Richard|year= 1989|publisher= Ensign Publications |page=44|isbn=1-85455-025-X}}

In 2003, Southern Vectis started The Pink Peril, a school service using a pink bus.{{cite web|year=2007 |url=http://www.iwight.gov.uk/home/news/press_details.asp?relID=3033 |title=Iwight - pink bus press release |publisher=www.iwight.gov.uk |access-date=18 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060218233440/http://www.iwight.gov.uk/home/news/press_details.asp?relID=3033 |archive-date=18 February 2006 }}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1430600/Ride-on-pink-bus-drives-unruly-pupils-to-behave-themselves.html|title=Ride on pink bus drives unruly pupils to behave themselves|publisher=www.telegraph.co.uk|access-date=18 May 2008|location=London|first=Liz|last=Lightfoot| date=20 May 2003}}

In July 2005, Southern Vectis and Solent Blue Line were sold to the Go-Ahead Group and became part of Go South Coast.[http://www.go-ahead.com/en/media/news/2005/recommended-cash-offer-for-southern-vectis-plc.html Recommended cash o and became part of offer for Southern Vectis plc] Go-Ahead Group 11 July 2005

In April 2006, the network changed, with Newport the hub and other routes linking to it. Some routes, for example the Island Explore, were lost. However, the changes proved successful. Within 18 months, passenger numbers increased by 45 per cent. This included a 14 per cent growth in fare-paying customers.{{cite web|url=http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/island-feels-strain-of-rise-in-bus-use-22410.aspx|title=Isle of Wight County Press – "Island feels strain of rise in bus use"|publisher=www.iwcp.co.uk|access-date=24 September 2008}}

In October 2009, Southern Vectis launched a website promoting a car scrappage scheme, which offered island residents a 12-month season ticket for bus journeys if they scrapped their car. The company said five vehicles were scrapped in the first fortnight and that it had received around 6,000 enquiries.{{cite web|url=http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/scrap-scheme-a-success-29411.aspx|title=Scrappage scheme a success|publisher=Isle of Wight County Press|access-date=30 October 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://www.iwcpgallery.co.uk/PDF/IWCPEcoIsland.pdf|title=Eco Island – Get wheels in motion|publisher=Isle of Wight County Press|access-date=5 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321004635/http://www.iwcpgallery.co.uk/PDF/IWCPEcoIsland.pdf|archive-date=21 March 2012|df=dmy-all}}

In 2011, Southern Vectis closed its garage in Park Road, Ryde. It is now the site of the Isle of Wight Bus & Coach Museum,{{cite web|url=https://www.iwbusmuseum.org.uk/about/|title=About the Isle of Wight Bus & Coach Museum|date=May 2018 |access-date=6 September 2022}} though some Southern Vectis buses remain in the neighbouring yard. Most of the fleet is now at the Nelson Road, Newport garage, with other outstations around the island. Another former garage, at Pier Street, Ventnor, was put up for auction in December 2020, with planning permission for two shops and 10 flats, but subsequently withdrawn.{{cite web|url=https://www.cliveemson.co.uk/properties/223/64//|title=Clive Emson Land and Property Auctioneers|access-date=6 September 2022}}

On 13 June 2022, a consortium of Australia's Kinetic Group (51%) and Spain's Globalvia (49%) launched a takeover bid of the Go-Ahead Group.{{Cite news|last1=Georgiadis|first1=Philip|last2=Dunkley|first2=Emma|date=2022-06-14|title=Go-Ahead accepts £650mn bid from group led by Australian bus operator|language=en|work=Financial Times|url=https://www.ft.com/content/9630a750-7661-4d0f-87b3-e15eec19c739|access-date=2022-06-14}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20220817103803/https://www.globalvia.com/en/noticia/we-submit-together-with-kinetic-an-offer-for-the-acquisition-of-go-ahead/ We submit together with Kinetic an offer for the acquisition of Go-Ahead] Globalvia 14 June 2022 The majority of shareholders accepted the offer in August 2022.[https://web.archive.org/web/20220817101153/https://www.londonstockexchange.com/news-article/GOG/result-of-meeting/15587872 Result of Meeting] Go-Ahead Group 16 August 2022

In March 2024, Go South Coast and the Isle of Wight Council made a successful bid for 22 new electric double decker buses, as part of the UK government's 'ZEBRA' scheme. This represents an investment of £12.7 million, including the installation of charging facilities at the depot.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-08 |title=ISLAND’S FIRST-EVER ELECTRIC BUSES WILL BE BUILT IN NORTHERN IRELAND |url=https://www.islandecho.co.uk/islands-first-ever-electric-buses-will-be-built-in-northern-ireland/ |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=Isle of Wight News - Island Echo |language=en-GB}} A further £4.7m bid of 9 buses was won, these will be used on services 4, 8 and 37 starting from Ryde. All of the electric buses are due to commence operation in 2026.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-08 |title=More electric double decker buses secured for the Isle of Wight |url=https://www.countypress.co.uk/news/25072079.9-electric-double-decker-buses-secured-isle-wight/ |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=Isle of Wight County Press |language=en}}

File:Vectisgange.png

File:SV1A duplicate.png bodied Bristol LH at Ryde bus station on route 1A in June 1987]]

As a result of deregulation in 1986, several competitors started and others increased existing services. These competitors included Gange's Minicoaches, Grand Hotel Tours, Island Travel (Cooke's Coaches of Porchfield), Moss Motor Tours, Seaview Services' RedLynx and Wiltax of Shanklin.{{cite book|title=Southern Vectis: The First 60 Years|last= Newman|first= Richard|page=43|year=1989|publisher= Ensign Publications|isbn=1-85455-025-X}} Island Travel and Gange's Minicoaches established routes between Cowes and Ryde.

The newly privatised Southern Vectis responded with new business practices. These raised the interest of the Office of Fair Trading which, in 1987, found the behaviour to be anti-competitive.{{cite news|title=Buses Rout of Small Rivals|author=Maurice Leppard|newspaper=Isle of Wight County Press|date=20 September 1991}}

It was alleged that Southern Vectis ran buses immediately ahead of competitors and that its drivers waited for competitors' vehicles in order to beat them to waiting passengers.{{cite web |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/reynardbizzar/2265044577/in/photostream/ |title=Gangebusters ready for action |author=reynardbizzar |date = February 2008|publisher=Flickr |access-date=1 September 2010}} In 1991, these duplication tactics were seen again when Southern Vectis shadowed an Isle of Wight County Council-contracted bus run by Norman Baker Taxis.

File:SVcompetitorstops.png]]

In 1986, Southern Vectis acquired Newport bus station as part of its privatisation and refused competitors access.{{Citation|title=Vectis forced to share|newspaper=Commercial Motor|volume=168|issue=4620|page=13|date=26 February 1988}} The Office of Fair Trading report in 1988 found Southern Vectis' behaviour anti-competitive. Southern Vectis was told to allow competitors to use the bus station or to appear before the Competition Commission. Gange's Minicoaches, the plaintiff, was offered stand F in Ryde bus station and a stand in the Newport bus station. Gange's did not agree the charges for either and continued to operate from the opposite side of Ryde bus station on council land, and the South Street bus stop in Newport, until its service ended.

Southern Vectis started to franchise its routes{{when|date=November 2017}}. For instance, Southern Vectis franchised Solent Blue Line routes to Marchwood Motorways; the Newport Town Circular was franchised to M-Travel, and then to Alpha Group after M-Travel closed. The Traditional Bus Company and The Village Bus Company franchised open-top routes including the Shanklin Pony.

In 2008, after its sale to Go-Ahead Group, Southern Vectis competed with the Isle of Wight Council's Wightbus school services, duplicating routes and claiming term ticket fees for student passengers from the council.{{cite web|url=http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/stop-ridiculous-ghost-bus-waste-21102.aspx|title=Isle of Wight County Press – "Stop ridiculous ghost bus waste"|publisher=www.iwcp.co.uk|access-date=1 July 2008}} In September 2010, the council engaged Southern Vectis to operate many school bus routes. Services began in 2012 under Vectis Blue; the public were not able to use them. In 2021, they integrated into Southern Vectis.

As of 2009, Southern Vectis operated 15 standard bus services,{{cite web|url=http://www.islandbuses.info/routelist.shtml |title=Southern Vectis route list |publisher=www.islandbuses.info |access-date=6 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091130004912/http://www.islandbuses.info/routelist.shtml |archive-date=30 November 2009 |df=dmy }} the most frequent being route 1, running every 7–8 minutes.{{cite web|url=http://www.islandbuses.info/timetables/1#route|title=Southern Vectis route 1|publisher=www.islandbuses.info|access-date=6 October 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130626141244/http://www.islandbuses.info/timetables/1#route|archive-date=26 June 2013|df=dmy-all}} Night buses ran on some routes on Friday and Saturday nights:

File:Needles Breezer bus, Isle of Wight, UK.jpg (2018)]]

Southern Vectis's Open Top Tours (orange and yellow livery) ran two circular summer routes to tourist destinations. In 2007, Open Top Tours was rebranded Island Breezers (yellow and blue livery). Other open-top tours by Southern Vectis included The Needles Breezer, The Downs Breezer, The Sandown Bay Breeze" (finished 2012).

In 2007, an Island Coaster service started between Ryde and Alum Bay with a £10 all-day ticket, or longer period tickets for residents.{{cite web|url=http://islandbreezers.islandbuses.info/island-coaster/|title=Southern Vectis – Island Coaster|publisher=www.islandbuses.info|access-date=8 October 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625015609/http://islandbreezers.islandbuses.info/island-coaster/|archive-date=25 June 2013|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.islandbuses.info/tickets/|title=Southern Vectis – rover and freedom tickets|publisher=www.islandbuses.info|access-date=28 November 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624010752/http://www.islandbuses.info/tickets/|archive-date=24 June 2013|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/no-concessions-on-tourist-buses-25910.aspx|title=No concessions on tourist buses|publisher=Isle of Wight County Press|access-date=11 May 2009}} The Island Coaster followed the route of two former services, the 12 from Ryde to Sandown and the 7/7A from Sandown to Alum Bay. Stops were at Freshwater Bay and Blackgang Chine, linking them with Ventnor, Shanklin, Sandown and Ryde. To get between Blackgang Chine and Brook near Brighstone, the service used the Military Road.

The 2008 season began on 15 March and finished on 2 November 2008. Route X4 was removed (although still displayed on buses). There was no stop at the Bembridge Coast Hotel or Sandown Esplanade. In 2009, there was only one morning and one afternoon journey each way, one of which terminated or started in Shanklin rather than Ryde and reached from Freshwater Bay to Yarmouth, but not reaching Alum Bay. Coaches were used rather than buses.{{cite web|url=http://www.islandbuses.info/timetables/1#route|format=PDF|title=times050409.pdf|publisher=Southern Vectis|access-date=4 March 2009|date=4 March 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130626141244/http://www.islandbuses.info/timetables/1#route|archive-date=26 June 2013|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.islandbuses.info/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=55 |title=the island's buses (SV forum) |publisher=Southern Vectis |access-date=28 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716090650/http://www.islandbuses.info/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=55 |archive-date=16 July 2011 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.islandbuses.info/wordpress/?p=66|title=Southern Vectis blog – "Back to Blogging..." |publisher=Southern Vectis|access-date=3 March 2009}}{{dead link|date=April 2016}}

In 2011,The Shanklin Steamer began (to Old Village, Shanklin Esplanade, Shanklin Chine and the Shanklin railway station).{{citation needed|date=November 2017}}.

File:Southern Vectis 610 B874 BYA.JPG

Until September 2009, three tourist road trains operated along the seafront of Ryde, Shanklin and Sandown. The services were run by Southern Vectis under contract to Isle of Wight Council. In April 2010, it was announced that the vehicles would retire due to maintenance costs. In January 2011, the Dotto Trains were sold to a dealer in Llandudno.[http://onthewight.com/2011/01/11/dotto-trains-sold-to-welsh-bidder/ Dotto Trains Sold to Welsh Bidder] On the Wight 11 January 2011

In July 2012, a £28m school transport contract was made by the Isle of Wight council and Southern Vectis.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}} New Optare Solo SR M920s arrived in September 2012. Some were transferred from the Go-Southcoast subsidiary, Damory Coaches, formed of Volvo B12Ms with Alieeze T9 Bodywork Registered MV02.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}} New double deckers from Alexander Dennis were delivered in January 2013.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}} Southern Vectis' involvement in coaching had varied through the years; early in the company's history the firm took no interest in coaching, preferring to leave the field to others. However, the company became involved in coaching through acquisition and conglomeration.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}

Some buses had previously been acquired from Fountain Coaches. The company had been assimilated into Southern Vectis when the National Bus Company rationalised in 1969.{{cite book|title=Southern Vectis: The First 60 Years|last= Newman|first= Richard|page=36|year= 1989|publisher=Ensign Publications|isbn=1-85455-025-X}} West Wight Bus & Coach Company and four of its coaches had been purchased by Southern Vectis in 1987.{{cite book |title=Southern Vectis: The First 60 Years|last= Newman|first= Richard|page=44 |year= 1989 |publisher=Ensign Publications |isbn=1-85455-025-X}} Moss Motor Tours was purchased by Southern Vectis in 1994. Wightrollers' 11 coaches were purchased by Go South Coast in July 2011. Southern Vectis employed staff from the firm.{{cite web |url=http://ventnorblog.com/2010/12/07/cabinet-meeting-live-coverage-2/ |title=CABINET MEETING: LIVE COVERAGE (UPDATE 26) |last1=Perry |first1=Simon |last2=Perry |first2=Sally |date=7 December 2010 |work=VentnorBlog |access-date=23 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227195822/http://ventnorblog.com/2010/12/07/cabinet-meeting-live-coverage-2/ |archive-date=27 December 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}

The company has been involved in Isle of Wight events such as the Isle of Wight Festival and the Bestival. Additional buses were brought to the island. During the Isle of Wight Festival, extra shuttle services were run from Lymington to Yarmouth Wightlink ferry terminal; from the Southampton to East Cowes Red Funnel ferry terminal; and from the Portsmouth to Fishborne and Portsmouth to Ryde Wightlink ferry terminal and Fastcat passenger boat terminal.{{cite web|url=http://www.islandbuses.info/festival.shtml |title=Southern Vectis – Isle of Wight Festival additional shuttle services |publisher=www.islandbuses.info |access-date=13 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080702031643/http://www.islandbuses.info/festival.shtml |archive-date=2 July 2008 }}

An Open Top Christmas Lights Tour has been operated. One of the company's Island Breezer-liveried buses took a two-hour journey past the most illuminated houses on the island.{{cite web|url=http://www.islandbuses.info/wordpress/?p=31 |title=Southern Vectis blog – "Christmas cometh…" |publisher=www.islandbuses.info/wordpress |access-date=17 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716090626/http://www.islandbuses.info/wordpress/?p=31 |archive-date=16 July 2011 }} For 2008, a stop at the Old World Tea Rooms in Godshill was added for complimentary mince pie and a hot drink.{{cite web|url=http://www.islandbuses.info/xmaslights.shtml |title=Southern Vectis – Christmas Lights Tour |publisher=www.islandbuses.info |access-date=30 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716090808/http://www.islandbuses.info/xmaslights.shtml |archive-date=16 July 2011 }}

In 2009, the company ran the Sailbus during Cowes Week.{{cite web|url=http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/sailbus-will-run-at-1-a-journey-26653.aspx|title=Isle of Wight County Press – "Sailbus will run at £1 a journey"|publisher=www.iwcp.co.uk|date=12 June 2009|access-date=18 June 2009}} There was decreased patronage due to new fares and the service did not run the following year.{{cite web|url=http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/fears-that-sailbus-could-run-aground-33642.aspx|title=Fears that Sailbus could run aground|publisher=Isle of Wight County Press|access-date=6 September 2010}}

Southern Vectis has increased its fares to reflect its market position and lack of effective competition. Fares have also reflected the need to provide free transport to a relatively large population of elderly people on the Isle of Wight.{{cite journal |url=http://trid.trb.org/view.aspx?id=541815 |title=The Effectiveness of Undertakings in the Bus Industry |author=National Economic Research Associates |journal=Research Paper 14 |date = December 1997|publisher=OFT |access-date=29 July 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/big-rise-in-single-bus-fare-24404.aspx|title=Big rise in single bus fare|publisher=Isle of Wight County Press|access-date=13 November 2009}}

Students under 19 in full-time education on the Isle of Wight have received discounted fares under the Isle of Wight Council's Student Rider scheme.{{cite web|url=http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/joy-on-the-buses-for-teenagers-11425.aspx|title=Isle of Wight County Press – "Joy on the buses for teenagers"|publisher=www.iwcp.co.uk|access-date=6 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213143238/http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/joy-on-the-buses-for-teenagers-11425.aspx|archive-date=13 February 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} In July 2010 after cuts in funding from the UK government to local authorities, the scheme was ended.

Island residents and visitors living in England over the qualifying age or with a disability have travelled free in the council area at any time of day, under the government's England-wide scheme. In 2007, the Isle of Wight council reduced its reimbursement to Southern Vectis for free-travelling passengers from 76 per cent to 46 per cent.{{cite web|url=http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/cut-in-bus-fares-subsidy-agreed-18175.aspx|title=Isle of Wight County Press – "Cut in bus fares subsidy agreed"|publisher=www.iwcp.co.uk|access-date=6 October 2008}} In 2009, concessionary travel accounted for just under half of all journeys on Southern Vectis. In 2010, free travel was restricted to off-peak times.{{cite web|url=http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/end-to-unlimited-free-bus-travel-for-over-60s-29786.aspx|title=End to unlimited free bus travel for over 60s|publisher=Isle of Wight County Press|access-date=18 November 2009}}

On 17 March 2008, Southern Vectis ended several evening, night and Sunday routes.{{cite web|url=http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/weekend-and-night-buses-under-threat-18988.aspx|title=Isle of Wight County Press – "Weekend and night buses under threat"|publisher=www.iwcp.co.uk|access-date=6 October 2008}}{{cite web|url=http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/bus-services-under-threat-19077.aspx|title=Isle of Wight County Press – "Bus services under threat"|publisher=www.iwcp.co.uk|access-date=6 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223132538/http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/bus-services-under-threat-19077.aspx|archive-date=23 February 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} Details of the service cuts emerged soon afterwards.{{cite web|url=http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/buses-slashed-amid-subsidies-row-19170.aspx|title=Isle of Wight County Press – "Buses slashed amid subsidies row"|publisher=www.iwcp.co.uk|access-date=29 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223132545/http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/buses-slashed-amid-subsidies-row-19170.aspx|archive-date=23 February 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} On 1 September 2008, routes 27, 28 and 29 ended.{{cite web|url=http://www.iwight.com/home/pressReleases/frmView.aspx?prId=352 |title=Isle of Wight Council press release – "IW Council Steps in to Preserve Bus Routes |publisher=www.iwight.gov.uk |access-date=31 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921115239/http://www.iwight.com/home/pressReleases/frmView.aspx?prId=352 |archive-date=21 September 2008 }}

In 2009, another subsidy decrease occurred. Routes 4 and 5, some journeys on route 6, routes 14 and 16 were withdrawn.{{cite web|url=http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/bus-service-cuts-27223.aspx|title=Bus service cuts|publisher=Isle of Wight County Press|access-date=10 July 2009}} In 2009, Southern Vectis staff went on strike for three days over pay.{{cite web|url=http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/bestival-buses-will-run-despite-drivers-strike-28399.aspx|title=Bestival buses will run despite drivers' strike|publisher=Isle of Wight County Press|access-date=11 September 2009}}

In 2017, Southern Vectis introduced a contactless payment system.{{cite news|url=https://www.islandecho.co.uk/brand-new-buses-contactless-payment-southern-vectis/|title=Brand new buses and contactless payment for Southern Vectis|publisher=Island Echo|date=6 October 2017|access-date=6 September 2022}} In 2021, Tap On Tap Off{{cite web|url=https://www.islandbuses.info/tap-tap-contactless-payments-0/|title=Tap On Tap Off contactless payments|publisher=Southern Vectis|access-date=6 September 2022}} began, a contactless ticket-free payment system enabling capped daily fares.

File:HW63FHG UNION STREET RYDE (26315694913).jpg in Ryde in May 2016]]

As of December 2023, Southern Vectis operates a fleet of 83 buses.{{cite web |title=Fleet list |url=https://www.islandbuses.info/fleet-list |publisher=Southern Vectis |access-date=6 December 2023}}

In April 2006, almost all Southern Vectis buses were painted in a new Best Impressions livery of two shades of green and a new logo and slogan, "the island's buses".{{cite web|url=http://www.southbus.co.uk/profiles/svoc.htm |title=Southbus.co.uk – Southern Vectis company profile |publisher=www.southbus.co.uk |access-date=29 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808051608/http://www.southbus.co.uk/profiles/svoc.htm |archive-date=8 August 2007 }} This was refreshed by Best Impressions in 2014 to incorporate a large green swoop towards the back of the vehicles, similar to the Vectis Blue livery. Before 2014, most open-top routes had blue and orange livery, with Island Breezers branding. This was revised in 2014, when the Needles Breezer received a blue, green and orange livery, reminiscent of Go South Coast's Purbeck Breezers. This livery extended to the rest of the Island Breezers fleet as the buses were replaced or repainted.

• List of bus operators of the United Kingdom

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |title=Southern Vectis 1929–2004: 75 years serving the Isle of Wight|last= Newman|first= Richard|year= 2004|publisher= Colourprint books|isbn=978-1-904242-24-6}}
• {{cite book|title=Glory Days – Buses on the Isle of Wight|last=Kraemer-Johnson and Bishop|first=Glyn and John|year= 2006|publisher= Ian Allan Publishing|isbn=0-7110-3114-2}}
• {{cite book|title=Bus Operators 1970: South-West and Southern England|last=Booth|first=Gavin|year=2006|publisher=Ian Allan Publishing|isbn=0-7110-3034-0}}
• {{cite book|title=Where in the world are the Southern Vectis Buses?|last=Haines|first=John|year=2001|publisher=G&K Publications in conjunction with DTS Publishing|isbn=1-900515-35-0}}
• {{cite book|title=Southern Vectis: The First 60 Years|last= Newman|first=Richard|year=1989|publisher=Ensign Publications|isbn=1-85455-025-X}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{OpenCorp}}

{{Transport on the Isle of Wight}}

{{Go-Ahead Bus Companies}}

{{Bus companies in South East England}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Bus operators on the Isle of Wight

Category:Go South Coast companies

Category:Transport on the Isle of Wight

Category:National Bus Company (UK)