Towns and villages hit by bus service cuts have called for a key Southern Vectis seasonal route to be opened up to Island residents using concessionary bus passes.
Currently, the Coaster summer service, which runs from Ryde to Alum Bay and Yarmouth via Ventnor and the Military Road, is designated as a tourist service, which exempts it from the England National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS).
Now, Chale, Chillerton and Gatcombe, Freshwater, Niton and Whitwell, Totland and Ventnor town and parish councils have joined forces to write to the IW Council, which administers the scheme, asking for the exemption to be withdrawn.
They say the extra services would help offset problems in the villages and towns caused by reduction of services on routes 6 and 12, which connect the areas.
Niton parish councillor Jon Young said: “Southern Vectis’s own website advertises the Coaster as an asset for those lucky enough to live on the Island.
“Concessionary travel is a policy area devolved to the IW Council and,as we understand it, it’s for the council to decide which services are eligible. Residents see these buses going past their door and they really don’t understand why they have to wait for a different one.
“I can’t see why the IW Council would not support communities by doing as we ask.”
An IW Council spokesman said: “The council is currently considering a request to consider Island Coaster’s inclusion into the ENCTS and we will provide a response as soon as possible to the parish and town councils.”