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Fears Southern residents 'isolated' from society as number 28 is scrapped

Credit: Isle of Man Transport

Bus Vannin has formally applied to remove the service

Concerns have been raised about the impact the cancellation of the number 28 bus service will have on visitors and residents who wish to travel to Cregneash and The Sound. 

This week Bus Vannin formally applied for the removal of the hourly, 'non-core', seasonal service blaming failure to secure funding.

Rushen MHK Juan Watterson told Manx Radio, historically, Cregneash would get 200,000 visitors a year. 

He says by cutting back on services it's going to make people less likely to use public transport:

Meanwhile Port St Mary resident Christa Viohl, who organised a public meeting last week, has since launched a petition.

Christa, joined by fellow resident Kathryn Potter, told Manx Radio it's not fair to residents in the south:

The Department of Infrastructure maintains the number 28 between Port Erin and the Sound will not operate during 2024.

It says it's not part of the core bus network and was previously operated as a tourist offering for a limited period but revenue gained does not make the route financially viable.

It continues to say "with demanding budgetary targets this year, the department will not run the service."

And finishes by saying the Department has complied with the Road Transport Act 2001.

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