There is not much history written about the early carriers and horse-drawn or early-motorised bus services in the Island. From the mid 1850s George Beazley ran the Newport to Ryde carrier service with a Mr Vanner using the Rose and Crown in Newport as his base. Furmidge also ran a daily service from Wootton to Newport in 1859. His base in Newport was The Swan. At the turn of the century Tutton from High Street Ryde ran the service daily to the Rose and Crown, Newport. From the 1920s Walter Dimond ran the service from Ryde to Newport (1924) and Harvey Hunter from Wootton to Ryde. The Millmore family of Ryde provided a service, which lasted until 1960.
Horse-drawn coaches operated between the main towns in early 19th century. In 1846 the ‘Rocket’ ran between Ryde (Pier Hotel) and Newport twice daily with the ‘Princess Royal’ from Newport to Ryde (Yelf’s Hotel). In 1905 the Isle of Wight Express Motor Syndicate Ltd., based at 80 Union Street, Ryde (later Pier Street). From March 1906 they used Milnes-Daimler single deckers. The route consisted of East Cowes – Ryde – Seaview – Bembridge. The company winding up in 1907. Later Douglas MacKenzie, transport pioneer and joint founder of Southdown Motor Service started to provide the service, this eventually becoming the Southern Vectis of today.
Arrived on the Island in 1934, Dennis Lancet 510 buses. These had Eastern Counties bodies built at Lowestoft with sliding roofs, leather seats, moquette patterned trim and livery originally Southdown style green and cream.
DL9700 along with DL7386 an AEC Reliance 214 carried Black Watch troops from Coppidhall Farm, Havenstreet into Wootton or wherever needed, the War Office requisitioned these along with other vehicles and drivers in the 1940s.