The dominant road transport operator on the Isle of Wight was Southern Vectis, which owed its origins to a single route from Cowes to Newport started in October 1921. From these limited beginnings, the company expanded with the Southern Railway acquiring a 50% share of the newly-entitled Southern Vectis Omnibus Co Ltd in 1929. Southern Vectis had a near monopoly of both bus and coach services on the island by the time it became a subsidiary of the National Bus Company in January 1969.
Over the years, Southern Vectis operated a considerable variety of vehicles, many of which were unusual as a result of the narrow roads over which many services had to operate. It had the unusual practice of charging all passengers a higher fare in the summer than in the winter, reflecting the demands placed upon it during that busy period of the year. This also helped to subsidise its loss-making winter timetable. When bus services were deregulated in the 1980s, Southern Vectis was bought out by its local management. It was one of the last of the privatised companies to retain its independence, not being acquired by a larger group until 2005. Concentrating predominantly on the years from the end of the war to the NBC era, the authors describe the great variety of vehicles and operations that helped mark Southern Vectis and operators on the island out as particular favourite’s amongst locals and enthusiasts alike.
Title: Glory Days Buses on the Isle Of Wight
Author: Glyn Kraemer-Johnson & John Bishop
Format: PB Book 96 pages
Publisher: Ian Allan Ltd
Pub date: Dec 2006
ISBN 10: 0711031142
ISBN 13: 9780711031142
List Price: £16.99
