Islanders going to Isle of Wight Festival 2023 won't be able to take the normal route 9 bus from Ryde to Newport and get off along Fairlee Road during certain times this year.

In a change to previous years, the number 9 will not serve the main road, heading towards Newport.

The news will likely come as a blow to Islanders who prefer to catch the 9 and get off on one of the stops along the road, rather than pay more for the shuttle buses.

Instead, Southern Vectis has said the 9 will travel via Staplers only on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This will apply between the hours of 11am and 6pm.

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The bus firm said it is to "maintain reliability".

Due to one-way restrictions, the service does not travel the other way up the road (towards Ryde).

The special 9F route, a shuttle service, will operate between Ryde town and the festival during the above times.

For an adult, the prices of the 9F start at £5, one-way. While a return is £9.

For a child, who has to be travelling with an adult, it will cost £4 one-way and £8 both ways.

Southern Vectis told the County Press: "There is significant additional cost to bringing extra buses and drivers to the island to cover these extra services - hence the special fares for travelling on the shuttle buses during the festival."

Weekender tickets, which give users unlimited travel over the weekend, cost £45 for adults.

From East Cowes, users of the route 5 will still be able to travel down Fairlee Road towards Newport.

From Newport to East Cowes, it will divert via Staplers.