Politics
Glover Calls for Buses to be Free
Bus fares are set to be capped at £2 from November 1.
Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Tim Glover has called for the gov to make bus journeys free island-wide.
In case you’re wondering, that news you can hear is Devon Watson loudly tweeting ‘I was right’.
Speaking in response to Treasury Minister Dr Alex Allinson’s motion of a winter support package, which includes a proposal for bus fares to be capped at £2 from November 1, Mr Glover pointed out that this would not help people who live in outer Douglas or even Onchan that travel into the capital for work each day.
The MHK, who is a member of the DoI, said he has raised the issue within the department and said he hopes that the cap is a ‘stepping stone to free bus travel for all’.
He said: ‘As this is a CoMin decision, I have to say I feel we are in danger of missing an opportunity here. For context, the £2 cap will mean nothing for residents in Douglas and Onchan, the question has been asked is a 20% discount on all bus fares a more equitable way forward?
‘The £2 fare cap represents a saving of 70p on a single journey from Douglas to Castletown, Laxey and Peel and a saving of £1.10 on a single journey from Port Erin or Ramsey and the same fare for a single journey between Peel and Ramsey.’
Mr Glover said that he fears the £2 cap won’t result in many people ditching their cars to use public transport over the three month trial and said that the matter of free bus travel was discussed by members at their behind closed doors Tynwald workshop.
He added that that he would be ‘strongly in favour of this bold move, if or when it comes forward’.
However, Mr Glover said he was ‘aware of the current implications’ on the number of buses that would be needed.
He said: ‘It is not possible now, hence why I feel it’s a stepping stone moving forward to that goal of free travel. So does the Treasury Minister agree that we should be aiming towards free bus travel if we really want to see less cars on our roads. There is also the climate change and net zero benefits to making sure a bold and forward thinking move.’
