Isle of Wight Council opens school bus routes to the public

The Isle of Wight Council has announced that six school bus services will now be open to the general public. This decision follows guidance from the Department for Education encouraging local authorities to maximize transport capacity to ensure value for money.

The affected routes include the 202, 203, 204, 206, 211, and 215, which serve various schools such as Carisbrooke College, Christ The King College, Ryde Academy, and the Island Free School.

Parents have expressed significant safeguarding concerns regarding the decision, describing the move as an ‘outrageous’ breach of safety. Critics also noted that the affected schools were not consulted or given advance warning regarding the change in service structure.