The Needles Breezer has been named winner of this year’s Great Scenic Journeys UK Open Top Bus Cup after a social media vote.
The Isle of Wight service from Southern Vectis won the final against the 599 Bowness to Grasmere, polling 79% of the public vote.
The knockout-style competition, sponsored by Blink – The Frontline Experts, saw 32 open-top bus routes gradually whittled down over the five weeks until voting began for the final last Friday.
The 65-minute-plus circular Needles Breezer journey connects Yarmouth with Newport. According to Great Scenic Journeys’ synopsis of the route, “It’s an open top bus so as you navigate the cliff-hugging, dizzy climb from Alum Bay high up to the Needles Battery, it really is a breezy, hair-raising experience.
“The views out to sea are utterly intoxicating and it’s the climax of a route that also links the charming small town of Yarmouth with Freshwater Bay and the Needles Isle of Wight attraction with endless family fun, including a chairlift down to the beach.”
Great Scenic Journeys is a portal which promotes and accredits around 250 of the most scenic mainly routes in the UK.
Alex Warner, Chief Executive of Great Scenic Journeys, says: “There really are some wonderful routes out there – city tours, seaside sojourns, mountainous adventures, encounters with ponies in wildland, such as the New Forest Tours and of course the 599 beside Lake Windermere, which made it to the final.
“Our team of customer experience reviewers were out on the Needles Breezer last week and could see how fabulous it is, not just the scenery, but also the many wonderful places to visit and fantastic customer service.
Talking to many member operators within the Great Scenic Journeys collection, despite there being a bit of cloud and rain around this summer, it’s not affected patronage – quite the opposite, with many full buses the length and breadth of the country!
“Last Friday, I was in Southend and the drivers on Ensign’s fantastic two open-top routes were joyously telling me that many customers flock to their services during inclement weather, because there’s a certain thrill and sense of ambience!
“It’s ‘Catch the Bus Month’ currently and there’s still an opportunity to travel on the Needles Breezer as it runs until 2 October. Whatever the weather, it’s an unforgettable trip!”
The Needles Breezer had beaten last year’s inaugural winner, Toon Tour in Newcastle and Gateshead, at the semi-final stage. Meanwhile, the 599 beat off competition from the Exmoor Coaster in the last four.
