Wightbus route 33
History
Route 33 began as a Southern Vectis service in 2001, to replace Island Explorer services previously routed via Havenstreet. This occurred after road resurfacing meant double decker buses were unable to pass under the railway bridge at the southern end of Havenstreet. Wightbus became involved in the route's operation from at least October 2004 by running journeys under contract to Southern Vectis. Separate journeys were first operated by Wightbus from October 2006, when Southern Vectis started to withdraw services from its own timetable. Due to council cuts earlier in 2011, Wightbus was announced of being axed with Southern Vectis taking over the route and running a community partnership with the Isle of Wight Council. All drivers on the route are volunteers.
Under Southern Vectis
Under Southern Vectis, the route was operated from 21 January 2001 before the network change on 2 April 2006 and continued in operation with them until the timetable change on 15 March 2008. The best service was in operation from October 2004
As from September 2010 service 29 was withdrawn, with certain journeys being operated as route 33A, serving Wootton instead of Blackwater before proceeding to Havenstreet and Ryde.
The route has now passed to Southern Vectis following the axing of Wightbus.
Services
Four services per day are operated in each direction during the daytime. There is no evening or Sunday service.<ref name="route 33 timetable"/>