THE Island's Community, Culture and Leisure Minister has said the transition to the new 2012 bus timetable has been "smooth" – despite receiving a number of complaints.

Tim Crookall MHK told the House of Keys this morning (Tuesday) that while complaints are to be "regretted" the new timetable has allowed the department to make "significant economies".

He was responding to a question posed by North Douglas MHK Bill Henderson who wanted to know whether the Minister had reviewed the complaints made in relation to the new timetable.

Mr Crookall said 45 complaints had been received and reviewed by the department.

He explained: "My department is customer focussed and we always review comments and complaints. We have successfully achieved a smooth transition to the new 2012 bus timetable this January.

"This has allowed us to make further economies – four buses have been saved making 16 in total since the initial phase of the bus network review was introduced. Four driving posts have been saved without the loss of employees."

The majority of complaints (12) were received in relation to a timing change on an early morning service from Castletown to Douglas. Mr Crookall said the department had re-adjusted the timetable to make the new timing clear.

Six complaints were received in relation to the reduction of services from Peel to Ramsey from every 30 minutes to every hour. Mr Crookall said this was a "necessary economy" but said his officers were considering whether any small changes could "ease the burden of these cuts".

He added: "We have been able to make significant economies and are still maintaining a large network that provides for social inclusion more than it does for commercial return."

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