The Department of Infrastructure has confirmed that a new efficiency review is to take place into the Isle of Man\u2019s heritage railways. This will be a wide-ranging review to see where money can be saved and will include a look at the Manx Electric Railway, Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, Snaefell Mountain Railway as well as the Isle of Man Steam Railway.<\/p>\n
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The review is said to be looking at the future and true value of the island\u2019s heritage railways, finding for which comes out of the general Department of Infrastructure budget. A previous review \u2013 undertaken by SYSTRA in 2017\/8 had found that the railways ran at a direct loss with operating costs of \u00a34.87 million and revenue of \u00a31.66 million. However, this did not take into account the indirect value of the railways to the general tourist trade on the island. Its said that the railways bring in somewhere between \u00a34.5 million and \u00a322 million of tourism spend.<\/p>\n
Chris Thomas MHK, Minister of Infrastructure, is quoted as saying in the local press that the review will not just be about where cuts can be made but that there could also be positive things which comes out of it. Although with the review not having taken place \u2013 indeed there has been no announcement of who will be undertaking it \u2013 it is far too early to say exactly what it may say and also what would be done by the department as a result.<\/p>\n
Mr Thomas said: \u201cI believe in the heritage rail, I believe it’s a valuable part of our culture, but money is hard-pressed. We’ve got to make sure that we decide rationally whether \u00a310 is better spent at the airport or on our heritage rail or on our bus routes.”<\/p>\n
Currently the Director of Transport role has not been filled since the retirement of Ian Longworth and it has been suggested that it may not be with separate roles for the bus, rail and shared fleet services being created instead.<\/p>\n
The report will be presented to the government at a later date.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Department of Infrastructure has confirmed that a new efficiency review is to take place into the Isle of Man\u2019s heritage railways. This will be a wide-ranging review to see where money can be saved and will include a look … Continue reading