Southern Vectis has sought to defend its decision not to run route 9 buses down Fairlee Road at certain times during Isle of Wight Festival 2023.

The bus company told the County Press it is diverting the service, heading towards Newport, via Staplers, to improve "reliability and capacity" for customers.

As the County Press reported, the changes will affect Islanders between Thursday and Sunday next week, between the hours of 11am and 6pm. 

News that the service would be diverting raised eyebrows among some Islanders, who questioned the motive behind the decision.

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Residents rely on the normal route 9 service as a way to access different parts of the road.

In previous years, it has also been used by those going to the festival, as a cheaper alternative to the shuttle buses.

Richard Tyldsley, Southern Vectis general manager, said this is not the first time the service has been diverted, heading towards Newport.

Changes were also in place last year, which he said led to "significant improvements" for both regular customers and festival-goers.

“Fairlee Road is already one-way during festival, so all route 9 journeys towards Ryde have to operate via Staplers anyway", he told the County Press.

"Historically, route 9 has suffered terribly from the traffic down Fairlee Road towards Newport during the festival - which causes considerable delay and inconvenience to customers."

Last year, the firm introduced its alternative route 9F service, directly into the festival site.

It "offers festival goers a reliable service to the festival with the capacity to accommodate them", Richard said.

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.

Regular bus routes, including the number 9, are currently £2 due to the government's price cap.

Southern Vectis has confirmed the festival shuttle buses do not qualify for the scheme.