Accessibility information
Disabled people have rights of access in relation to motoring, transport and travel infrastructure, such as bus and railway stations, ferry terminals and airports, under the Disability Discrimination Act 2006 (DDA). The Act also means that disabled people have a right to information about transport – timetables, for example – in a format that is accessible to them where it is reasonable for the transport provider to provide it in that format.
Further information on your rights under the DDA is available on the www.Gov.im website. Isle of Man Transport provides information on accessible travel to make it easier for people with mobility difficulties to travel within the Isle of Man.
The sections below contain information about accessibility and what transport services are provided on the Island and links to other websites which provide more information.
Air Travel
Airlines & Airports
Under European legislation no-one should be refused travel on a commercial flight to or from the Isle of Man on the basis of their disability of reduced mobility, subject to legitimate air safety considerations.
The person with the disability or someone acting on their behalf must give as much information to the Airline as possible, at the time of booking the air ticket, to facilitate a smooth transition through the Airport and onto the aircraft.
This usually means telling them about your particular needs when you are making your booking. Legislation on air travel has meant that the managing bodies of airports have to provide services that enable disabled passengers to board, disembark and transit between flights.
Airlines are responsible for assistance on board the aircraft. The Isle of Man Airport is the main passenger airport on the island. Please use this link for information on Passengers with Reduced Mobility (PRM).
The main operators which fly to and from the Island are:
Accommodation
Staying in the Isle of Man
The Isle of Man is situated between England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, and is in easy reach of the rest of the British Isles.
Blessed with an extensive coastline, stunning natural landscapes and unspoilt beaches, the Isle of Man is a perfect holiday destination. Whether you're looking for an action packed break, relaxing holiday or the perfect family holiday destination, you'll find it here.
With a wealth of things to see and do, places to visit and a packed entertainment program - whether you're passionate about history and culture, wildlife, sport or heritage transport - you'll never be short of something to do.
Each hotel, hostel, guest house, and homestay accommodation is different and accessibility varys from property to property.
For further information, go to: visitisleofman.com.
Bus Travel
Travelling by Bus
Bus vannin is the only provider of local bus services on the Isle of Man. The fleet is entirely low-floor, meaning they are all easily accessible by people with mobility problems and disabilities also by people with pushchairs.
Bus services
Bus vannin runs a regular service throughout the Island, including to Port Erin and Port St Mary, Peel and Kirk Michael, and Laxey and Ramsey.
Concessionary fares
Eligible resident senior citizens can apply for a concessionary travel pass, which allows the holder free or half fare travel on all bus services except the Manx Express services.
Please note: off-Island bus passes are not valid on the Isle of Man.
Full details of the concessions and how to apply for a senior citizen's concessionary pass can be found here.
Car Travel
Speed Limits
Speed limits in the Isle of Man are in miles per hour. In general, the speed limits are 30 mph in towns, 40 mph, 50 mph, and unrestricted on out of town roads. All roads will have the speed limits sign posted.
The Blue Badge Scheme
If you have a Blue Badge, you can use it here. You will need to display a time disc with your Blue Badge when parking, but you can park in disabled and non-disabled spaces at anytime. But remember, a Blue Badge is not a licence to park anywhere. You still have to obey the rules of the road and should not park where it would endanger, inconvenience or obstruct pedestrians or other road users.
The parking concessions apply to parking on all parking in main parking areas, for example anywhere on the promenade. It also includes free parking in disc parking zones. You are entitled to park double the length of the specified time and you must also display a parking time disc.
You may park free of charge in Chester Street car park and you may also park free of charge in Drumgold Street but for a maximum of 3 hours. If disabled parking spaces are not available in the Chester Street or Drumgold Street car parks you may still park free of charge in any vacant space. You can also park free of charge in Shaws Brow, The Bottle Neck and Lord Street Bus Station, but in Disabled Spaces only.
To find out more information on the Blue Badge Scheme, please visit the web page.
Comments & Contacts
Isle of Man Transport Contact Details
If your query has not been answered, please use one of the following contact numbers to find out further information.
| Bus and Rail Timetables Enquiries | Tel: +44 1624 662525 |
| Transport Headquarters, Banks Circus |
Tel: +44 1624 663366 |
| Manx Electric & Snaefell Mountain Railways | |
|---|---|
| Derby Castle Booking Office | Tel: +44 1624 614687 |
| Laxey MER Station | Tel: +44 1624 861226 |
| Ramsey MER Station | Tel: +44 1624 812249 |
| Snaefell Summit | Tel: +44 1624 673631 |
| Isle of Man Steam Railway | |
| Ballasalla Station | Tel: +44 1624 823015 |
| Castletown Station | Tel: +44 1624 822275 |
| Douglas Station | Tel: +44 1624 673623 |
| Port Erin | Tel: +44 1624 833432 |
| Bus Vannin | |
| Port Erin Bus Station | Tel: +44 1624 833125 |
| Ramsey Bus Station | Tel: +44 1624 812151 |
You could also contact us via our email: publictransport@gov.im
Ferries and Ports
Ferries & Ferry Ports
Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is the main ferry company that carries passengers between the Isle of Man, England and Ireland.
Both the Mannan and the Ben-My-Chree are accessible to people with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs.
If you need assistance with boarding and disembarking you should inform the Steam Packet Company at the time of booking that you require it so that they can make arrangements.
The following link is to FAQ's on the Steam Packet Company's website: Isle of Man Steam Packet Company
Ferry Ports
There are 6 ports where the Steam Packet board and disembark passengers. They are:
Further Advice
I'm in a wheelchair. Can I get on the bus with out assistance?
Yes, every bus we operate is low-floor, and are fitted with a ramp, meaning you can get on and off easily. There is also a space on the bus which is labled for disabled passengers.
I have a guide dog. Does the dog have to pay?
No, Manx registerd guide dogs are free on all forms of transport on the Island.
Carriage of Assistance Dogs - Assistance Dogs can be carried free of charge on Buses, Steam Railway, Manx Electric Railway, and on Snaefell Mountain Railway.
If you are visiting the Island, and you are registered blind or deaf, and need to bring your guide dog, please contact us and we can make arrangements for you to travel.
When can my disabled bus pass be used?
The terms of travel with a disabled pass are as follows:
- Free Travel on scheduled bus services (except the Manx Express) of I.o.M. Transport after 09:00 Mondays to Fridays and all day on Saturdays, Sundays, and Public/Bank Holidays
- Half Fare travel on bus services up to 09:00 Mondays to Fridays
- Full adult fare, rather than double fare, on Night Owl services
- Free Travel on scheduled services of the I.o.M. Steam Railway
- Free Travel on scheduled services of the Manx Electric Railway
- Free Travel on scheduled services on the Snaefell Mountain Railway
Manx Blind Welfare Pass
Issued by Manx Blind Welfare Society, Corrin Court, Heywood Avenue, Onchan, IM3 3AP. Telephone +44 1624 674727. The pass entitles the holder to travel free at all times with the exception of the Manx Express. Guide dogs travel free.
Do you provide the timetable in an audio format?
Please contact the IOM Welcome Centre, Sea Terminal, Douglas, Tel. +44 1624 663366 for a timetable in an audio format.
Other Information on Accessbility
Transport operators are committed to making continual improvements to services to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
If you require any further information about accessibility on the transport available on Island, please get in contact with the Welcome Centre, which is situated in the Sea Terminal, Douglas. Their contact number is +44 1624 662525.
You could also contact us by email: publictransport@gov.im, or contact us direct on:
Transport Headquarters
Banks Circus
Douglas
Isle of Man
IM1 5PT
Tel: +44 1624 697400
Rail Travel
Travelling by Rail
Steam Railway
Dating from 1874, the Isle of Man Steam Railway is the oldest Victorian rail system in Britain. The narrow gauge railway still runs with its original locomotives and carriages.
Station Facilities:
| Douglas | Main Station |
|---|---|
| Facilities | Douglas Station has a cafe and waiting area. Toilets, including disabled facilities, are available, as is a full height platform. |
| Parking/ Drop-Off |
The bus stops which are located at the entrance to Banks Circus may be used for pick up and set down of passengers. Coach parking is available by prior arrangement at the Banks Circus bus yard and is available to drivers travelling by train with a party. Coaches awaiting to pick up passengers from incoming trains must not obstruct the bus stop, but wait in the Banks Circus Yard. |
| Castletown | 40 minutes by steam train from Douglas |
| Facilities | This station has got half-height platforms, as well as toilets and waiting room facilities. No disabled facilities are available. |
| Parking/ Drop-Off |
Coaches normally pick up and set down on Victoria Road or in Station Road. Smaller vehicles could use the car park in the station grounds, but space is limited in this car park. Coach parking is availble in three bays at Farrant's Way. |
| Port St Mary | 55 minutes by steam train from Douglas |
| Facilities | This station has a waiting room and toilet, but no toilets for the disabled. These facilities are not available when the station is unmanned. Boarding the train is from a full height platform. |
| Parking/ Drop-Off |
Coaches may set down and pick up on the main road outside the station. This road is very narrow and large vehicles will cause major obstruction. Coach parking can be found at Callow Point, 200m from the Golf Pavilion at the end of Queen's Road. |
| Port Erin | 1 hour by steam train from Douglas |
| Facilities | The station has a cafe, waiting room and toilets, including a disabled facility. Platforms are mostly full height. |
| Parking/ Drop-Off |
Port Erin coach park is adjacent to the station. Entrance is from Station Road into Droghadfayle Road, then turn right before the fire station and the coach parking bays are on the left between some commercial buildings and a toilet block. Vehicles may park on this site for 16 hours in any 24. |
Manx Electric Railway
The Manx Electric Railway has been in operation since 1893, and 2 of our cars (Trams 1 and 2) hold a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest operating electric cars.
Station Facilities:
| Derby Castle | Main Station |
|---|---|
| Facilities | Derby Castle station has no toilets but nearby public toilets are available. Like all other stations on the Manx Electric Railway and the Snaefell Mountain Railway no platforms are provided. |
| Parking/ Drop-Off |
Designated coach parking is available on Queen's Promenade; waiting is limited to 30 minutes between 8.00am and 10.00pm. A set down and pick up point is adjacent to the station. |
| Laxey | 30 minutes by tram from Douglas |
| Facilities | Laxey Station has toilets, including a disabled facility, and a cafe with waiting room. |
| Parking/ Drop-Off |
Coach parking and a set down and pick up point are available on the designated coach park at Dumbell's Row, with no restrictions on its use. Additional car parking is available near the fire station and on the promenade; both with no restrictions, although access for large vehicles is difficult at the latter site. |
| Ramsey | 1 hour and 15 minutes by tram from Douglas |
| Facilities | Ramsey station is provided with a waiting room and toilets. Normal practice is to pick up and set down on Waterloo Road. This is a narrow road with a pedestrian crossing outside the station. |
| Parking/ Drop-Off |
No coach parking is available at this location but it is available beside the old swimming pool between the Ppromenade and Market Square, at the south end of the Mooragh Promenade and at the amenity car park adjacent to the rugby pavilion on the Mooragh Promenade. There are no restrictions on parking. |
Snaefell Mountain Railway
Dating from 1895, Laxey is the starting point for the Snaefell Mountain Railway, a unique Victorian enterprise which winds its way up about 2,000 feet to the top of Snaefell, the Island's only mountain.
Disabled access
Unfortunately there is no wheelchair acess available on the Mountain Railway which is due to the design of the trams. Please note that access to the Mountain Railway trams is via steep and narrow steps and there are no toilet facilities for wheelchair users at the summit.
Station Facilities:
| Summit | 30 minutes by tram from Laxey |
|---|---|
| Facilities | Toilets are available at the Snaefell Summit Restaurant. The restaurant also provides everything from light refreshments to Sunday lunch and evening meals. |
| Parking/ Drop-Off |
There is no specific access wheelchair access available on the Mountain Railway which is due to the design of the trams. Please note that access to the Mountain Railway trams is via steep and narrow steps. |
Taxi Travel
Travelling by taxi/private hire car
A taxi may ply for hire in a public place for a journey beginning there and then. Some taxis can be pre booked for a certain time and place.
Private Hire Car
Private Hire Cars and Minibuses cannot be hailed in the street or stand at a taxi rank. They must be pre-booked. They must also display a yellow disc in the left hand corner of the front windscreen. This disc indicates the Operator's license number; the number of passengers that the vehicle is licensed to carry; the license expiry date; the vehicle registration number; and the make and model of the vehicle.
Further information on Taxi and Private Hire vehicles as well as a full list of providers can be obtained on the Road Transport Licensing Committee (RTLC) website.
