BUSES operating over the TT period will have one or two unusual travellers on board - police officers.

Police constables and members of the Special Constabulary will be routinely deployed to travel on the bus network, particularly on the routes out of Douglas later in the evening.

The move is part of the working relationship enjoyed between 'Bus Vannin' and the Douglas Community Safety Partnership (DCSP). The Department of Community, Culture and Leisure, which operates the Island's bus network, is a full member of the DCSP.

"We applaud the decision of Bus Vannin to increase bus services to the community at this busy time,” said police Inspector Ken Kneale, chair of the DCSP. “This not only accords with the objectives of the DCSP in terms of providing appropriate public transport to serve community need, but also ensures that there is no reason why any person, visitor or local needs to drive after consuming alcohol.

“Historically, the bus network has proven to be a safe and well managed environment and that is a tribute to the Department and the bus staff. Throughout the year police officers routinely travel on selected routes to ensure that remains the position, however we feel that for periods such as the TT festival, our presence should be more overt".

David Cretney MHK, Minister for Community Culture and Leisure, said, "Once again the Department, in conjunction with the DCSP, is pleased to be able to offer additional bus services during the TT period, providing a safe, convenient and inexpensive way for visitors and residents to make their way to and from the wide range of events, taking place during the festival."

Whilst being confident that incidents would remain low, Inspector Kneale indicated that police officers would be intervening early when the behaviour of any individual either travelling or waiting to board a bus was detrimental to other passengers' feelings of security or safety. 

He added, "In these circumstances, in addition to the usual public order and associated offences, officers have specific offences relating to behaviour on a public service vehicle to assist and would not hesitate to use if circumstances required.

"Whilst each case is reviewed on merit, it is highly likely that offenders will face court action to emphasize to local people and persons visiting the Island that we have a high quality of life and any person intent on disrupting that enviable position will be dealt with appropriately."