Bus Strikes Rumble on as DoI and Drivers Still Miles Apart

If you were hoping to be catching a bus on the weekends this month, bad news: the Isle of Man’s bus dispute isn’t going anywhere fast.

The Department of Infrastructure (DoI) and Unite the Union are still ‘a long way apart’ over drivers’ pay and terms, with no breakthrough in sight.

Joney Faragher, political member for the DoI and standing in for Minister Tim Crookall in the House of Keys this morning, said talks are continuing with help from the Manx Industrial Relations Service, but warned the two sides are still far from agreement.

The DoI revealed a fresh pay offer at the end of last week, which would give drivers an average of £1,180 on top of their standard pay award, about a seven percent rise this year.

Bus Vannin insists it has attended all scheduled negotiations and ‘has not imposed any preconditions on participation.’

The row isn’t just about pay.

Ms Faragher confirmed there’s one contract for new drivers, but two older legacy contracts still apply for long-serving staff, a key sticking point in the talks.

She also defended the department against claims it sees buses as a profit centre, saying: ‘It is subsidised by the taxpayer to round about 50%, which is completely aligned with it being a public service.’

Binding arbitration isn’t on the table… yet. ‘It is not something that’s being considered. That doesn’t mean that it won’t be in future,’ Ms Faragher said.

The latest round of strikes ended this morning, with the regular timetable back in action.

But with further walkouts planned for March 13–17, March 20–24, and March 27–31, passengers may be in for more disruption over the coming weekends.

Unite has accused the DoI of ‘stonewalling’ negotiations, while one of the island’s biggest taxi firms, Elegance Taxis, says it’s already seen almost a 40% surge in business during the strikes.

The DoI says contingency plans are in place to keep core services running, particularly to hospitals and between towns, and passengers are being kept updated through the Bus Vannin website, social media, and the Find My Bus app.