Crookall Says Contingency Plan a ‘Success’

Gef the Mongoose has been keeping a close eye (and both unusually large ears) on the great bus bonanza of 2026, and according to the Department of Infrastructure, things are going surprisingly fine actually, thanks very much.

Speaking in the ever-calm surroundings of the House of Keys yesterday, Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall declared the department’s contingency plans during the bus strike have been ‘successful’.

Successful!

This may come as news to anyone who has been stood at a bus stop staring into the abyss.

Mr Crookall explained that, with the support of the public (translation: lots of people blagging lifts off their mates), core services to the hospital and key routes between the towns and Douglas have been maintained.

Health, education, police and highways have reportedly raised ‘no significant issues’, although the level of service has depended on driver availability, which is a bit like saying the chippy is open depending on whether Dave fancies turning up.

Members of Unite the Union are currently halfway through strike action in a dispute over pay, terms and conditions, leaving Bus Vannin running a limited service (emphasis on limited).

Talks are continuing with the help of the Manx Industrial Relations Service, and a meeting was held yesterday afternoon.

The minister stressed the department must balance ‘good value for the tax paying public’ with ‘fair salaries’, which in political language roughly translates to: ‘this is complicated’.

He also said he couldn’t provide a ‘running commentary’ on negotiations.

But in a moment of refreshing honesty, he concluded: ‘I have no idea where we will get to this afternoon.’ Which, to be fair, is also what many commuters have been saying all week.

Meanwhile, Unite have made it crystal clear there is ‘no new offer on the table’.

‘Nothing has been revised. Nothing has been improved. Nothing formal has been put to us,’ the union said, adding that yesterday’s meeting was an opportunity for the department to decide whether it wants to resolve the dispute, or simply continue managing headlines.

Ooooft.

Drivers walked out on Saturday and are due to remain on strike for the rest of the week.

Gef will, of course, continue monitoring the situation from a safe distance, ideally somewhere with snacks and absolutely no need to catch the 3A.