BUS TIMETABLE REVIEW Following the implementation of the new bus timetable on 13th September 2010, the Department of Community Culture and Leisure wishes to announce that the 3 month review of the performance of the bus timetable has now been completed. On the basis of the feedback received during the review a number of refinements to the original timetable are being proposed. These changes, which represent the Department’s continued commitment to review and amend its bus services, have been submitted to the Road Traffic Licensing Committee for approval. If the Committee approve the proposals, passengers will be informed of any changes and new A5 size timetables printed prior to implementation. The changes can be summarised as follows: · An additional morning Service 6C is to be introduced, Monday to Fridays and Saturdays, providing a further opportunity for those who wish to travel from Cronk-y-Voddy and Barregarrow to Ramsey. · A revision to the Service 13 will re-route the service via Ballachrink and Lakeside Gardens to provide a daytime link from these areas to the Promenade. As a result of this change the daytime Service 30 journeys will be withdrawn. · A “Shopper Special” service run will run as a revised Monday to Friday daytime Ramsey to Douglas journey and Douglas to Ramsey journey operating via Loch Promenade and Broadway to provide a shopping opportunity to the Castle Street area for Laxey and Ramsey residents. This will leave Ramsey at 1005hrs, returning from Douglas at 1340hrs. · Service 3 journeys serving the Ramsey area estates are to be amended to rationalise the timings. · Service 3 weekday departures from Douglas will leave at 1745hrs rather than 1740hrs to suit the needs of commuters. · A route revision to Services 22 and 22A will shorten travel times for residents of Willaston who wish to board on buses as they enter the estate. Services 22 will run to Governors Hill before returning to Willaston, services 22A via Birch Hill. This will result in the Service 22 no longer serving the Manx Arms. · Daytime Monday to Friday Service 21A journeys will now run as Service 21 serving Lheannag Park on a half hourly basis. Daytime Monday to Friday provision to Ballaughton Manor Hill will be via the revised Service 23 and new Service 25. These services will operate during the daytime on Monday to Friday via Ballaughton Manor Hill when travelling between the Hospital and Lower Douglas. · Service 23A will be replaced by the new Service 25 which will serve Birch Hill, Hailwood Avenue and Manx Arms but not Ballachrink and Lakeside Gardens. Full details of all timetable changes will be made available in due course in an A5 format document and online. The Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure, Hon D C Cretney MHK, commented: “These further modifications to the bus timetable are testament to my Department’s ongoing commitment to responding to the feedback we have received since the new timetable was implemented and ensuring that bus service we provide continues to meet the needs of the Isle of Man community as a whole. I ought to make it clear that the changes to Services 22 and 22A, whilst improving matters for Willaston residents, might inconvenience those passengers who are currently using the services to travel to Onchan. Whilst this is against the advice of my officers, I feel that it is the right thing to do. Of course, we will keep the impact of all these changes under review and if necessary we will make further refinements to future timetables as they are issued.” -Ends-