The station is 1.25 mi (2 km) south of Ryde Pier Head—the Island Line's northern terminus.

Adjacent to the railway station is Ryde Traincare Depot: the Island Line's traction maintenance depot, where the maintenance and storage of the Island Line's Class 484 trains takes place.

It has been suggested that the Isle of Wight Steam Railway might be extended from Smallbrook Junction to Ryde St John's Road in the future,[2][3] but there are currently no official proposals.

All services at Ryde St John's Road are operated by Island Line using Class 484 EMUs.

The typical off-peak service in trains per hour is:[4] These services call at all stations, except Smallbrook Junction, which is served only during operating dates for the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.