Public Transport Experience: Costing How Much? (mini blog 1)

1. No Idea - But Far Too Much! (1)

The Isle of Wight is justly celebrated for its scenery; with wonderful variations packed into this diamond-shaped delight off the south coast. From Alum Bay (above) in the west to Culver Down and the wide sweep of sunny and sandy Sandown Bay in the east ...

... there us much to enjoy.

Joining the two is the spectacular "Military Road" and the quaint delights of Ventnor.

This road is unstable and the IoW County Council warns that it may not be able to afford its protection for much longer. Sadly parts of this gorgeous route may be left to fall ignominiously into the sea.

But the locals in Ryde are now bemoaning the loss of another and picturesque amenity. Something unpleasant is happening to bucolic views in Oakfield!

To understand the environmental disgrace that has been purpetrated, we need to go back a bit.

Readers may remember the promise of a complete rebuild of the Island's remaining National Rail line from Ryde Pier Head to Sandown.

1. A loop at Brading station would be re-instated to allow for a proper half hourly train service to connect with the half hourly Ryde to Portsmouth ferry service. This work took at least twice as long as planned because of bad weather and "technical difficulties".

Another snag is that the ferry now runs hourly for most of the year with just a few high summer extras. So a half hourly connection is a non-event.

2. Shiny new Vivarail old underground trains would bring much needed comfort and reliability in place of the very old old Underground trains.

The trains did not work very well and the wheels wore out very quickly. On many days there was only one two-car unit available to run a theoretical half hourly service which should have been allocated two four car units!

3. With the new loop, the upgraded track and the new non-working trains all ready for action, Notwork Rail decided to rebuild Ryde Pier!

Good planning chaps!

4. Having completed Ryde Pier it was very apparent that the promised half hourly frequency was unworkable. Either the loop at Brading was in the wrong place or the new trains were not fast enough. Or a bit of both. So Island Line offered a stupid every 40 minutes train, only really meeting the hourly ferry every two hours!

5. Anyway, not to worry because the line would be closed again to replace two bridges ...

... namely those on Rink Road and Park Road between St Johns Road and Esplanade stations.

It is that project to which we will return on Thursday .

1. An Idea? - But Far Too Much! (1)

£90 for a small coach - ridiculous. fbb would be daft to shell out so much from his meagre pension for soimething that obscure; and marital relationships might be just a little strained - especially after Rache has snaffled the fbb's winter fuel allowance.

It did seem to have a high spec ...

... but not high enough for an outlay of £90.