Bus services stripped back as drivers stage strike

Bus drivers on the Isle of Man are staging a fifth and final planned walk out in a dispute over pay and conditions.

Unite members employed by the Department of Infrastructure (DoI) are on strike until the early hours of Tuesday.

Previous contingency services will operate again during the strike, including hourly buses on main routes from Douglas to the south, west and north.

Manx Electric Railway (MER) services along the eastern coast to Ramsey and the Isle of Man Steam Railway is also running commuter services enabling passengers to travel between Douglas and the south at bus fare prices.

On Friday and Monday there will be no dedicated school buses but pupils could use their Go Cards to access all other services, including the railways.

Priorities for the contingency timetable are focused on Douglas and Noble's Hospital as well as linking the Manx capital with the island's main towns.

The DoI will "continue to work towards a resolution" it said.

The union would need to ballot members before further strike action takes place.

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