Contingency plan published as ten day walkout to begin
A 'reduced but regular' timetable will be in operation during ten days of strike action by bus drivers, starting tomorrow (21 February).
Most main routes between Douglas and the north, south, and west, will operate on a limited, hourly service with a similar timetable for buses to Noble's Hospital.
The Department of Infrastructure has already stated that staffing levels are 'unknown' during the industrial action, which follows a row over pay and contractual issues.
The Manx Electric Railway is being prepared for school and commuter travel on Monday (23 February).
You can find a link to the timetables HERE.
Government has shared the following contingency plan from Bus Vannin, which it says is 'under review and subject to change'.
Approach
- bus vannin will operate a reduced timetable throughout the strike period and this may flex depending on the number of drivers available each day.
- Up-to-date information and timetables will be made available on bus vannin’s website and passengers are encouraged to use the findmybus app.
- Where the public can make alternative travel or work arrangement, this is recommended.
- Depending on driver availability, other services may be introduced or services reduced and the website will be the best source of information.
Hospital services
- bus vannin’s priority will be an hourly service between Douglas and the hospital. This service will help ensure staff can get to work around shift changes and patients with appointments have an option from the Douglas area.
- Drivers of minibuses providing services for Manx Care are not part of this industrial action and it is hoped that these services will be provided as normal.
Core routes – Douglas / Ramsey / Peel / South
- bus vannin will seek to operate hourly services on the main routes linking Ramsey, Peel and the south with Douglas during peak times for commuters and schoolchildren.
- If it is possible, bus vannin will operate hourly services during the day.
- Weather permitting, additional parking on the Douglas Promenade Walkway, similar to parking at Christmas, will be introduced from Saturday morning.
School services
- Unfortunately, there will be no specific school services; however, pupils will be able to travel on all available bus services using their Go Cards at any time of the day, should parents wish.
- These services will bring secondary school students to within walking distance of the schools.
Tram and rail services
- A public service on the Manx Electric Railway will operate between Ramsey and Douglas via Laxey for commuters and schoolchildren.
- Pupils will be able to use their Go Cards on these trams.
- It is planned that the trams will be met by buses at the Douglas Station for onward travel into Douglas city centre and the secondary schools.
- Unfortunately, it is not possible to bring the steam trains into service because of engineering work at Douglas Station.
'bus vannin drivers are hugely valued and provide a critical service to the Island carrying more than million passengers each year and the Department of Infrastructure is keen to continue to work to discuss potential solutions to the ongoing dispute.
'In the meantime, bus vannin is appealing for anyone with a PSV driving licence to contact publictransport@gov.im'
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