Maintaining the island’s bus network cost several million pounds more than it brings in, the DoI’s annual report has revealed.
The figures also show more than 12,000 bus journey are undertaken everyday.
In its report, the DoI says the income for Bus Vannin for the last financial year totalled £5,210,000.
However, with expenditure totalling £12,195,000, the buses posted a £6,985,000 loss.
The DoI said: “The core network of services is operated by 92 full time drivers and a fleet of 70 vehicles. Operational coverage is around 21hrs per day.
“More than 12,000 journeys are undertaken by passengers each day and patronage has returned to the levels seen before the
Covid-19 pandemic.
“The fleet is maintained by Bus Vannin’s workshop facility, where a team of skilled technicians maintain and repair vehicles to ensure
a reliable and safe service is provided to the people of the island.
“As the island’s bus operator, service reliability and quality customer service are of the upmost importance to Bus Vannin, whilst striving to support its staff. Employees at Bus Vannin are committed to providing a positive experience for all of its passengers and they understand their role in the social fabric of the Isle of Man.”
Review
With 50% of the operating costs of the bus service is paid by general taxation, the department is looking to “review the operating model from time-to-time to ensure that the public investment is being directed in the most appropriate way”.
It added: “The high-level review will be completed before the end of 2024 and the transition process of changing the service provision and fleet design will start after that.”
Some changes in the bus service are already being implemented, such as the cutting of the Sound Cregneash route, while the DoI said some patient transfer services that require increasing levels of medical supervision and training are being transferred to Manx Care.
2 Comments