Train services on the Isle of Wight have taken a major step towards becoming a self-contained, self-financing operation after the company which leases rolling stock for use on the Island Line agreed to sell the trains for £1.

Island Line is served by six 2-car electric trains which run 68 services a day between Ryde Pier and Shanklin. Each unit is capable of covering up to 70,000 miles a year.

Stagecoach has previously paid rolling stock leasing company HSBC Rail £150,000 a year to lease the carriages, much of which was reimbursed by the government, making the eight and a half mile route one of the most heavily subsidised rail lines in England and costing the taxpayer 77p for each mile travelled per passenger.

South West Trains managing director, Stewart Palmer, said:

“We are pleased to announce the change in ownership and a repaint for these trains. The Island Line is a vital form of transport both for local people and the booming tourist industry - and this marks another step in the direction of community rail partnership.”

Jack Richards of the Isle of Wight Community Rail Partnership said he regarded the formal handover of the train fleet as a welcome and logical development in the move towards increased local ownership of Island Line.

The nominal payment sees Island Line operator South West Trains take possession of the units and the trains will now be repainted in heritage colours, as will stations at Ryde, Brading, Sandown, Lake and Shanklin.

Island Line

Railway People

Island Pulse