DOI considers more cuts

The Department of Infrastructure says it’s looking into scrapping free school buses, putting parking meters in Douglas and charging for parking permits.

The suggestions have been made as the Minister Laurence Skelly looks to make £5 million during the current year.

Other ideas in a new consultation document include restricting pensioner’s bus passes to those over the state retirement age.

And Tynwald members and government workers could also be charged for their parking spaces.

Mr Skelly says he understands some of the proposals will cause some concern on the Island, particularly scrapping free school buses.

In future, children could face paying £1 a day to travel to and from school: the department says the 32 buses cost £1.25 million a year.

The department’s also leasing more space to companies at the Sea Terminal, and looking to reduce its staff numbers further.

You can read the consultation document, and have your say on the proposals, on the government’s website gov.im