Former Chief Minister Alfred Cannan is calling for better bus connectivity in the north.
In the House of Keys this week, the Ayre and Michael MHK questioned Infrastructure Minister Jason Moorhouse on what assessment had been made of the Connect Villages and other bus services.
He queried why there was no further assessment from the Infrastructure Department, following a consultation about bus services in 2024.
“There were many comments about the lack of a bus service in the north of the island,” Cannan said. “There were many constituents who commented over the course of the summer that they have frustrations with the service.”
He asked the department to not just publish evidence but carry out further consultations and assessment of needs in the north “so that rural communities can be better inter-connected”.
He said as well as helping the vulnerable, there was an economic value for the rural routes, ensuring customers can reach services.
Good News
Infrastructure Minister Jason Moorhouse described the Connect Villages service as a “good news story”
Moorhouse said: “The Public Transport Division of the Department of Infrastructure is continually reviewing and monitoring all its services across the island through live Ticketer data, delays and capacity demands.
“Connect Villages is a variation of the standard operational model, using a demand-responsive travel model as opposed to a fixed schedule, this currently operates with some fixed ‘flex’ times Monday through Saturday.”
He added: “This service, and the operation in the northern area, is reviewed towards the end of each financial year with consideration given to the available resources. We are currently averaging 4,500 passenger journeys a month.”
Moorhouse said he recognised how important it was for people in rural communities to have access to other places.
“He can rest assured this is one of my priorities,” the minister pledged. “Public transport is important.”
The minister also acknowledged a warning from Ramsey MHK Juan McGuinness that reliance on apps and technology made it difficult for some vulnerable people to use the service.
Moorhouse said it was an issue that was being looked at, something confirmed by Chief Minister Chris Thomas, who said it was part of a bus strategy already under consideration.
Glenfaba and Peel MHK Daniel Davison pointed out there were some parts of the island where there was insufficient phone connectivity, so on-demand services would not work. He called for regular bus routes in rural areas, rather than just calling up for one.
