Islanders visiting mainland hospitals can now use freedom tickets

Hospital patients and visitors travelling by bus from the Isle of Wight to the mainland can now use their Southern Vectis Rover and Freedom tickets on selected bus routes to the Royal South Hants Hospital and Southampton General Hospital UK.

The Isle of Wight bus operator has teamed up with Go South Coast sister companies Bluestar and Unilink Bus in Southampton to provide seamless ticketing for onward journeys on Bluestar 17 and U6 services.

“We know going to hospital is not always pleasant, and having to travel from the Isle of Wight to the mainland can add extra stress to the whole experience,” said Go South Coast head of communications, Nikki Honer.

“Passengers arriving at Red Funnel’s terminals in Southampton have easy access to both Bluestar 17 and U6 buses – which will take them directly to the hospital – so we wanted to help by giving island residents the opportunity to travel on either service without the need to buy extra tickets.

Red Funnel will also offer a special fare to connect your bus route via the Red Jet from Cowes to Southampton.