Islandline (Island Line Isle of Wight)

Member Name: adambrown400

Product:	Island Line Isle of Wight
Date:	27/08/08 (40 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Getting off in one piece

Disadvantages: Risk of fatality almost 100 per cent

Island line really doesn't deserve to be classed in the same category as other mainland operators.

The Isle of Wight depends on trade from tourism and visits from people around the world make up for a lot of business here. Unfortunately, if you are coming to the Isle of Wight from Portsmouth and you arrive at the end of Ryde Pier, the first thing that you encounter is the worst excuse for a train that there ever was. It's actually worse than the 'Dotto Train', an imitation train that runs on the road - and thats orange!

Island Line operates a service that runs from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin and is in fact the only 'proper' trainline left on the Island.

The state of the carriages that make up the trains are a joke - old underground trains that even Bosnia would sniff at. The Isle of Wight Steam Railway trains, where trains from Victorian times are better kept - and they turn up on time! Frequently the train misses its vital connection with the Wightlink catamaran service - terrible.

The stations aren't much better - delapitaded old waiting rooms soaked in urine and other such disgustingness.

People who want more trains and stations on the Island really need to look at how badly they run this service before asking for more!

I know there is a certain nostalgia for trains - especially amongst anoraks - but Islandline need to get their act together and make the first thing the majority of visitors from the mainland see as something impressive - rather than a rusty excuse for public transport - Islandline.

Summary: Get a bus, but then again..... Southern Vectis - you're next!