In news that will probably surprise absolutely no-one it has been confirmed that passenger numbers on the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway in 2023 were significantly down on the figures seen in 2018. Of course, 2018 was the last year that the full length tramway ran whereas 2023 was the first full year of operation for the shortened line.
We have previously reported on 2023 passenger numbers and it has been revealed that there were 45,000 journeys recorded. Whilst this is a positive number when you compare it 2018 the number was significantly higher at 78,000.
Obviously with fewer passenger direct income to the Department of Infrastructure has also fallen – from £140,000 to £44,000. Operating costs had also fallen from £340,140 to £313,808 with government subsidy rising from £200,140 to £269,000.
The figures were confirmed by Infrastructure Minister, Tim Crookall, in a debate at Tynwald. Whilst giving the numbers he did say that they did not include Go Explore cards which a lot of passengers on the trams will have used.
There was no data given to say for certain that the changes were down to the shortened route but Mr Crookall did say that it had an impact. It was also said that talks with Visit Isle of Man continued about whether to re-extend the line to the Sea Terminal.
I and most other visitors to the Island ( even when taking their car) ALWAYS buy Go Explore cards, and of course this cannot be included in the total revenue for the Horse Trams. A very easy solution ( and one I am quite sure the wonderful DOI will not even consider!), is to issue a “no cash value” ticket to all passengers using their Go Explore Cards on the trams. Indeed it would be sensible for at least one year to issue these on all journeys where these cards are used!