The now-delayed plan to charge pensioners on the Island's buses half-fares between 3.30 and 5.30pm could have been handled better, according to the political member of the Department of Tourism and Leisure with responsibility for public transport.

But Graham Cregeen MHK denies he asked Tourism and Leisure Minister Martyn Quayle to put the move on hold because of widespread public condemnation.

Manx Radio broke the story yesterday that the proposed change was due to take effect from Monday.

It's now been put back for a couple of months at least but not, as Mr Cregeen told Manx Radio, because of how unpopular it was. He said:

"We understand it is unpopular, but also with the review being brought in - hopefully we should get the draft within the next eight weeks or so - in hindsight it looks better if we see how the timetable looks before we actually change any of the terms and conditions".

Mr Cregeen was also asked why the proposed change was brought in at this time. He said:

"Unfortunately, I think it was overlooked because in April everything had been approved by the department. It was just running through from when this was actually approved."