MAJOR improvements which are intended to lead to a more sustainable future for Island Line have been unveiled by its new operator — South Western Railway.
Yesterday (Sunday), the new company, which won the franchise to run the service in March this year, took over running the eight-and-a-half-mile route.
The company has now announced the beginning of a key relationship with the Isle of Wight Council and other stakeholders which it hopes will lead to a more sustainable future for Island Line.
South Western Railway will now start the consultation phase of the process to deliver improvements for Island Line.
This will include setting out a range of options to stakeholders for rolling stock and infrastructure, before submitting ideas to the Government next year.
Other Island Line highlights include marketing campaigns to encourage customers and tourists to travel to and from the Island; working closely with cross-Solent operators and the Isle of Wight Steam Railway; providing free Wi-Fi at stations; deploying an annual customer and community improvement fund of £50k and creating an Island Line stakeholder forum.
New branding for the route and South Western Railway has also been revealed.
There is also a new website customer app and social media channels (@SW_Help and @SW_Railway) for all customers to access news, information and book tickets for services. The new branding will begin to appear on leaflets and posters at stations and eventually on trains.
The South Western Rail franchise was awarded to FirstGroup and MTR in March 2017 and started operations on August 20. It will run until at least August 2024.
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