Southern Vectis - Fares and Subsidies

Fares and Subsidies

Southern Vectis has been found to increase fares more strongly than the industry average, blamed by industry observers on the firms incredibly strong market position and lack of effective competition, however the company claims fare rises are done in line with inflation to represent the increase in costs of running bus services, and cites the Island's high population of elderly residents (whose travel is free) as a factor in the high fare costs. The company runs a fares review at the turn of each year, the latest occurred at the start of February 2009 with the lowest price single fare, from one bus stop to the next, rose from £2 to £2.50. Additionally the highest single fare rose from £4, to £4.50. Return fares are not available on most Southern Vectis services.

At each fare rise Rover and Freedom tickets are usually frozen, however these are already priced comparatively high as opposed to the firms sister companies; for example a one day 'Rover' ticket on Southern Vectis costs £10, whereas a 'Solent day rider' for the entirety of the Bluestar network in Hampshire costs just £6.20, and an 'Explorer' pass that encompasses the entirety of the Bluestar and Wilts & Dorset networks is £7.50.

With the new network from April 2006, Southern Vectis amended many of their fares. Notably, the maximum single fare was capped at £4. This remained in place despite general fare rises, but has since been raised back to £4.50