Pay and display on Douglas prom, a 50p school bus fare and no more free short-term parking at the airport are among measures being introduced by the Department of Infrastructure.

Charges for multi-storey car parking are being increased and eligibility for free bus travel will increase from 60 to the state pension age.

In addition, Tynwald members and senior civil servants earning above a certain threshold will have to pay a fee of ?275 to use dedicated government parking spaces in Douglas, a charge that the department says is likely to rise in future years.

The measures are expected to raise ?500,000 in this financial year. DOI Minister Phil Gawne says revenue savings of ?5million have largely been achieved through job cuts and streamlining services.

He said: 'Overall, this package of measures is intended to be as fair as possible in extremely difficult circumstances. We have been mindful of the potential impact on the public, our staff and the economy.

'There is a need to strike the right balance to ensure we continue to safeguard essential public services and deliver a high quality infrastructure that allows the Isle of Man to attract new investment.'

The list of measures announced today are:
Charging for parking spaces used by Tynwald Members and Government staff in central Douglas
A consultation on this issue showed a willingness of staff to contribute towards their parking.
Increasing the charges at Chester Street, Drumgold Street and Parade Street East and West car parks
A review of charges has been carried out and increases of 50p will be applied in most tariff bands. This will bring the department’s charges more into line with Douglas Borough Council car parks. This represents the first general review and increase of pay-and-display parking charges for more than four years.
Introducing pay-and-display parking on Douglas Promenade Walkway and reducing the maximum stay for parking in the disc zone between Granville Street and the Sea Terminal to one hour
The walkway between the War Memorial and Sea Terminal will be opened to parking over the winter months, with charges in line with Chester Street car park. This will assist retailers by increasing town centre parking capacity during the Christmas period. Reducing the maximum stay for parking in the disc zone will increase the turnover of users and benefit short-stay shoppers.
The Minister is meeting representatives of the retail sector this week to agree some concessions in the run up to Christmas.
Introducing a ?25 administration charge for residential permits, exempting holders from time restrictions at disc parking zones where they live
This is aimed at offsetting the cost of administering the residential permit system.
Increasing revenue generated by vehicle excise duty by 10% overall
The Department is proposing to revise the charging structure for vehicle excise duty to correct existing disparities between fees based on engine capacity and those based on carbon emissions. Further details will be provided when the relevant Order is moved in Tynwald. The aim is to secure the funding needed to maintain the highways. Currently, the total income from vehicle duty is ?12.5 million and the estimated cost of maintaining the road network in the Isle of Man in 2015-16 is more than ?16 million.
Introducing a charge of 50p per journey for children travelling to school by bus
This measure will see children using a pre-paid smartcard for school bus journeys. Pupils in receipt of free school meals will be exempt from the charge.
Changing the age of eligibility for free bus travel for senior citizens
The age of eligibility will increase from 60 to the state pension age. Passes will not be withdrawn from existing holders who will retain ‘grandfather rights’ to their passes.
Revising charges for the collection and processing of fallen stock at the Animal Waste Processing Plant
A revised charging scheme is being introduced to help secure the longer-term sustainability of the facility. The Department recognises that current low charges need to increase to a more realistic figure, while seeking to minimise the impact on farmers and meat prices paid by consumers. The new charges have been discussed with representatives of the farming community.
Removing 30-minute free parking period and disc zone at the Isle of Man Airport
Fees for the short-stay and long-stay car parks will be: 0 to 60 minutes - ?1; 61 to 120 minutes (ie second hour) - ?2; First day rate charges to increase by 50p. Arrangements for dropping off passengers via the outer lane in front of the terminal building will continue.
Introduction of new arrangements for ply-for-hire and private hire taxi operators at the Isle of Man Airport
New arrangements will be discussed with operators of private hire (pre-booked) and ply-for-hire taxis licensed to pick up at the airport. Taxis currently charge a ?1 per trip airport levy, but for many years this has not been passed on to the Department.

Got a story? Contact Joanne on 340000 or email newsdesk@manx.net
twitter @jonewsiom