Difficult decisions for Minister as raft of changes to proposed charges announced

Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne has been explaining his reasons for changing his mind over a raft of recent announcements regarding parking, school buses and eligibility for bus passes.

Earlier this morning, he said he’d changed his mind over cutting free parking on Douglas Promenade from two hours to one hour after pressure from businesses.

The decision was welcomed by the Chamber of Commerce whose Chairman praised Mr Gawne for looking at the issues again.

Two hours later plans were announced to halve a proposed 50p charge for school bus journeys which are currently free. Then this afternoon, it was announced that  the proposed changes to eligibility for free bus travel for senior citizens will be undertaken on a phased basis.

This will see free bus passes aligned with state pension age by 2025, though passes will not be withdrawn from existing holders.

The phasing in means those born in 1954 would have passes issued next year at age 61, but those in 1955 wouldn't receive a pass until 2017 at age 62. . . and so on in two year increments so those born before the end of 1959 wouldn't receive a bus pass until 2025 or later at the state retirement age.

In order to pay for the phased implementation, free bus travel for senior citizen pass holders will be resticted during the evening peak travel period.

From early in 2015, a half fare will be charged for concessionary bus travel between 4pm and 6pm in the Douglas, Onchan and Braddan urban fare areas and between 4pm and 5.30pm in the rest of the Isle of Man.

Similar arrangements are already in place for the morning commuter peak.

Mr Gawne says it's been difficult for him, but he's determined to do what's best . . whilst still trying to make significant savings in his department