Revellers heading to Isle of Wight Festival 2023 will have to pay more than £2 to board shuttle buses to the site, it's been confirmed.

Southern Vectis has said the buses do no qualify for the Department for Transport's (DfT) bus fare cap.

It was launched in 2022 to help households with the cost of living, and applies to regular bus routes, only.

The reason the shuttle services do not qualify is because they are not regular, and only operate for five days - rather than for the entire year, the company told the County Press.

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Richard Tyldsley, Southern Vectis general manager, said: “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.

"In fact, we need an additional 27 buses and 65 colleagues for the duration of the event - and many of these come over from the mainland to help us for the duration."

He has pointed festival-goers to the 'excellent value' Festival Weekender ticket, which offers unlimited travel on festival shuttles, and regular network buses.

A weekender ticket costs £45 for adults and £26 for an accompanying child.

There are also deals for families and groups of up to five.

Prices for single journeys, for adults and children, vary depending on where you're coming from.

From Ryde, for example, the 9F will cost adults £9 for a return (two journeys). 

How to get to the Isle of Wight Festival 2023 by bus

Shuttle buses to the festival site are running from four locations on the Island. You can see them, HERE.

For timetables and full prices of each service, click HERE.

Changes mean the regular route 9 service, which is preferrable for some Islanders, will not serve Fairlee Road at certain times.

Richard added: "We’re looking forward to welcoming those visiting the festival on-board very soon, for what promises to be a fantastic event for the Isle of Wight.” 

The Isle of Wight Festival website says that ferry port shuttle buses will operate from around 8am through until 4am Thursday to Monday, with the last buses being at midday on the Monday.