DCCL announce bus strike plans

Plans to ensure the Island has a public transport service during a bus strike next week, have been unveiled this lunchtime.

The Leisure department plans to run a skeleton Bus Vannin service using non union drivers.

Steam trains and the Manx Electric Railway will also be brought back into service.

Arrangements have been made to transport children to the Island's High Schools, and for those planning nights out, late night services will run as scheduled.

Tim Glover has the details:-

In simple terms, Bus Vannin plans to operate its Sunday and bank holiday timetable, if drivers walk out as planned next Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The railway will be utilised with services every 90 minutes to replaces buses 1 and 2 south of Castletown while the trams will run every 30 minutes to replace bus no 3. Both will have extra services at peak and school times.

With many businesses shutting down for Christmas next week, hundreds of revellers are expected in towns around the Island.. for them, the Night Owl service will operate as planned to ensure party goers are not tempted to use their cars.

In addition to its own non union drivers, the department will be using casual drivers and other public transport staff who hold a valid PPV and can work during the strike periods - anyone wishing to work is asked to register by email at ohr@gov.im or telephone 686300 from next Monday.

The department is urging those who can drive to use car parking at the Bowl and NSC outside Douglas and then either make the 20 minutes walk into the capital or use the buses that are running.

Pupils living south of Ramsey Grammar School will travel in on the trams, while those heading to Castle Rushen from the south will be served by temporary platform at School Hill.

Details of the ad hoc services during next week's strike are to be posted on busandrail.info as soon as possible.