The Manx Electric Railway is to operate special services for the third time this winter as a result of the ongoing dispute between involving bus drivers and their concerns over changes to their terms and conditions. Two two hour strikes will take place which will see a limited MER services will run during the early morning and late afternoon periods on Wednesday 6th March to cover for the Douglas-Ramsey no. 3 bus route – again making a mockery of our preview of the 2013 operating season uploaded last week!
Three departures will leave Douglas during the morning at 0710, 0720 and 0810 – all three bound for Ramsey – with trams returning from Ramsey to Douglas at 0710 and 0840. Then in the afternoon trams depart Douglas at 1440 and 1540 with serviced leaving Ramsey at 1510, 1555 and 1610. As per the last strike timetable each service is mainly being operated for the benefit of school children with suggested departures for schools in Douglas, Laxey, Ramsey and Dhoon. Normal bus fares will be in operation on these journeys.
Of the journeys on the timetable it is expected that the 0710 from Ramsey and 1540 from Douglas will operate as single motor with all other departures using a motor and trailer. At this stage details of which motor will be used on which service is unknown but the allocation is likely to be taken from 5, 6, 9, 19 and 20. Three enclosed trailers – 57, 58 and 59 – will be used on those services utilising trailers and it is expected the following allocation will be used:
57/58 – 0710, 0720 and 1440 from Douglas, 0840, 1555 and 1640 from Ramsey
59 – 0810 from Douglas, 1510 from Ramsey
Once again it is good to see that transport bosses on the island are willing to use the near 120 year old Manx Electric Railway to keep residents moving whilst the dispute with the bus drivers continues.
Thanks to www.manxelectricrailway.co.uk for the information reported here.