A 25p per journey fare will be implemented early in 2015 for children travelling to school by bus.
The Department of Infrastructure is reintroducing school bus fares as part of the package of measures aimed at meeting its challenging budget target for the current financial year.
The charge, which is half the 50p fare originally considered during a recent consultation process, will help to offset the £1.25 million a year cost of operating the Isle of Man’s 32 daily school service routes.
From January next year, pupils will use pre-paid smartcards for school bus journeys. Those in receipt of free school meals will be exempt from the charge and will be issued with a smartcard that looks identical to the standard version. The impact on larger families will also be kept under review and appropriate measures taken to protect those on low incomes if required.
Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK said:
‘The Isle of Man’s bus services are currently subsidised to the tune of £5.5 million a year and changes are urgently needed to ensure their long-term sustainability. The cost of operating the 32 daily school service routes is approximately £1.25 million a year - that is equivalent to a £2.91 per school day fare on a full double-decker bus carrying 88 pupils.’
He added:
‘Our recent consultation on parking and public transport showed public strong support for the reintroduction of school bus fares. I appreciate that this measure will have a financial impact on families and following discussions with my Ministerial colleagues and offers of some financial support, I have agreed to set the school bus fares at an initial 25p per journey. This is felt to be a reasonable amount in what is an extremely challenging financial environment for many people.
‘This will also help to improve the long-term wellbeing of our nation. Encouraging more young people who live close to school to walk rather than catch the bus, by charging the same for all pupils irrespective of the distance they have to travel, will have health benefits.’
A further announcement regarding an implementation date and the availability of the smartcards will be made next month.
In addition, the Department has confirmed that its proposal to change the age of eligibility for free bus travel for senior citizens will be undertaken on a phased basis. This will see free bus passes aligned with state pension age by 2025. Passes will not be withdrawn from existing holders.
Concessionary travel for older people will be available on the following basis:
| Born | Bus pass issued on birthday in | At age |
|---|---|---|
| Before 31 December 1953 | Now | |
| 1954 | 2015 | 61 |
| 1955 | 2017 | 62 |
| 1956 | 2019 | 63 |
| 1957 | 2021 | 64 |
| 1958 | 2023 | 65 |
| 1 January 1959 or later | 2025 or later | State retirement age |
In order to pay for this phased implementation, the Department will restrict free bus travel for senior citizen pass holders during the evening peak travel period.
From early in 2015, half fare will be charged for concessionary bus travel between 4pm and 6pm in the Douglas, Onchan and Braddan urban fare areas and between 4pm and 5.30pm in the rest of the Isle of Man. Similar arrangements are already in place for the morning commuter peak, with a half fare being charged.
Minister Gawne said:
‘The aim is to ease the pressure on peak services and recoup a level of payment from people who are using a free pass while still economically active. The timing of the restrictions will still allow for free travel to evening social activities.’
He added:
‘The Department aims to support economic and social activity and the changes to school bus travel and free bus passes for senior citizens will help to safeguard the long-term viability of all bus services.’
The new arrangements for public transport are among a package of measures announced by the Department to help achieve its budget target for 2014-15. The Department has already delivered £4 million of revenue savings through the streamlining of its workforce, the merging of divisions and management structures and efficiencies generated through new shared services for fleet and estate management.
Additional income is required to ensure that Infrastructure meets its budget responsibilities in line with the Isle of Man Government’s national priority of rebalancing public finances by 2016.
