A report into the future of the Island Line on the Isle of Wight \u2013 currently part of the South West Trains railway franchise \u2013 has suggested that the best option could be that it is converted to become a tramway using second hand trams. The report \u2013 commissioned by Isle of Wight Council as part of the consultation into the new South West Trains franchise which is due to start next year \u2013 was prepared by transport expert Christopher Garnett and looked at all ways that the line could be made more self sufficient.<\/p>\n
Currently the Island Line \u2013 which runs between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin \u2013 uses a small fleet of former London Underground 1938 stock trains to operate services; these are the oldest trains currently in regular operation on the UK rail network. Passenger numbers have fallen rapidly in recent years on the railway with losses also, unsurprisingly, rising at the same time which has led some to call for the line to be split from the more profitable main South West Trains network. As a result of these comments Isle of Wight Council commissioned this report to see ways that losses could be cut and an improved service could be offered.<\/p>\n
The main result of the report is that regardless of what way forward is taken a significant level of investment is required on the infrastructure full stop, whether that be the retention of the line as a standard railway or conversion to a tramway. The report concludes:<\/p>\n
* more needs to be known regarding the condition of the rolling stock and infrastructure, in particular Ryde Pier<\/p>\n
* more detailed consideration should be given by the government to the future of the Island Line<\/p>\n
* the line needs significant investment to bring it up to acceptable standards<\/p>\n
* it should have the normal protection that a franchised railway has in the event of a failure of the operator, or experience unforeseen issues with the track or infrastructure<\/p>\n
* a light rail based solution could reduce operating costs compared to the existing heavy rail operation<\/p>\n
* it should be promoted and managed more effectively and remain as part of the national network for timetabling and ticketing<\/p>\n
Obviously for this website the most interesting point above is the fifth comment about a light rail based solution. The report states that local consultees agreed that a tram system could be the most appropriate solution in order to maintain the existing route as well as offering the potential to extend the line in the future. It is thought that this would simplify the operation, has the potential to reduce costs, increase frequency and ultimately build future opportunity for the line.<\/p>\n
Suggestions are that if they went down the light rail route second hand trams would be used \u2013 although no details of where these could be sourced from are mentioned. But it is still very early days in these plans and for the time being the Island Line will be retained as part of the South West Trains franchise with incumbent operator Stagecoach up against First to run the line from next year. Whether it remains as part of this franchise going forward though remains up for debate and if it was separated (as it was when privatisation was first introduced in the 1990s) this would be the potential time for a decision to made as to whether it goes over to light rail operation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A report into the future of the Island Line on the Isle of Wight \u2013 currently part of the South West Trains railway franchise \u2013 has suggested that the best option could be that it is converted to become a … Continue reading