The Laxey Link Bus will continue to operate throughout the summer following a decision to extend the trial period.
 
The hop-on/hop-off service provides a convenient connection between the upper and lower parts of the village via a route which takes in the Promenade, Woollen Mills, Tram Station, Heritage Shop, Cornmill and Great Laxey Wheel.
 
It was launched on June 11, initially on a four week trial basis, as part of wide-ranging plans for the regeneration of Laxey.
 
There has been a positive response to the service and operator Tours (IoM) has agreed to keep the 15-seater link bus running throughout the school summer holidays, up to and including Friday, September 7.
 
A decision will then be made on the long-term viability of the service which is aimed at providing an economic boost to local businesses by encouraging people to spend more time in the village.
 
The initiative is supported by the Laxey Regeneration Committee, which is chaired by Steve Rodan SHK and comprises members of the local authority, private enterprise and the voluntary sector.
 
The bus operates five days a week, Monday to Friday, and runs every 20 minutes from 10am to 4pm. Bus fares for the full route – with the opportunity to get on and off at any of the stops – are ?1.50 for adults, ?4 for families, ?1 for senior citizens with a bus pass, and ?1 for children.
 
John Guilford, Director of Tours (IoM), said: ‘The link bus has been welcomed by our customers and the results of the initial four weeks have been encouraging. A longer trial is definitely needed and the company is happy to support Laxey in developing this service.’
 
Mr Rodan added: ‘Tours (IoM) are to be applauded for extending the trial period which will hopefully establish the viability of introducing a permanent seasonal service for the future. We believe this is an excellent facility for the local community and I would again urge as many people as possible to try it out. We will be conducting a review after September 7, so it really is a case of “use it or lose it.”’