Rail companies called on to make Isle of Wight line sustainable

Train operators will soon be asked to submit ideas for transforming a loss-making Isle of Wight train service into a sustainable business.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed that it intends to ask the companies bidding for the South Western franchise to maintain services on the Island Line while working to make it profitable.

Some campaign groups feared the service could be dropped in 2017, once the Statecoach franchise ends.

According to the BBC, the leader of Isle of Wight Council, Jonathan Bacon, said: “It was encouraging to hear that the government will include the Island Line in its plans for the next South Western franchise.”

Services on the Island Line are run by South West Trains.

Claire Perry, the rail minister, commented: “I want to see stakeholders work with the next operator to come up with innovative solutions that will reduce the burden on the public purse, while safeguarding the line for years to come.”

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