A new bus service linking the west of the island directly to the airport and the south begins on Saturday.
The route, from Peel to the Sound, goes via St John’s, Foxdale, Silverdale, Ballasalla, the airport, Castletown, Port Erin, Port St Mary and Cregneash.
The total journey takes one hour and 14 minutes.
The Department of Infrastructure was keen to meet the demand from people in the west and south to be able to travel directly rather than have to make a trip to Douglas and change buses there.
Infrastructure Minister Dr Michelle Haywood said:
‘We are delighted to introduce this link between the two areas of the island.
‘As the population of Peel and the west has grown, there has been greater demand for a link to the airport from residents and visitors alike.
‘For holidaymakers who stay in the south, they can travel to Peel to see the castle and the House of Manannan directly, for example. Similarly, those in the west can visit Castle Rushen and the many attractions of the south thanks to this route.’
The new route means there will be a bus service to Cregneash and the Sound again.
A service from Port Erin to the Sound was discontinued in 2024 on financial grounds.
Dr Haywood said:
‘We appreciate that a lot of people were upset by the decision to end the bus service to the Sound. That’s why we worked hard to find a solution.
‘The new 8S service fills a big gap in service between the west and the south. But it also provides access to the Sound, one of the most beautiful parts of the island, for those who don’t have a car.’
Dr Haywood added:
‘The route was designed by the Department after a consultation to satisfy demand in two of the island’s most densely populated areas. I am delighted that Bus Vannin was also able to restore a link to Cregneash and the Sound as part of the service thanks to a number of efficiencies.’
The full timetable for the bus route is available on the Isle of Man Transport website.
