Bus Vannin
Encyclopedia
Bus Vannin is the title of the government owned and operated bus service on the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...

. The name was adopted in June 2009 having previously been branded as Isle of Man Transport. The company was originally founded on 1 October 1976, with the name National Transport which itself was an amalgam of several smaller operating companies.

History

The first omnibus services on the island were provided by the Manxland Bus Co., Ltd.
Isle of Man Transport
Isle of Man Transport is an agency of Isle of Man Government that operates public transport on the Isle of Man.They operates following services:* Bus Vannin, Island Wide Bus Service* Isle of Man Railway, Douglas - Ballasalla - Castletown - Port Erin...

, in addition to several smaller operators which operated independently. Primary means of long-distance travel was by way of either the Isle of Man Railway
Isle of Man Railway
The Isle of Man Railway is a narrow gauge steam-operated railway connecting Douglas with Castletown and Port Erin in the Isle of Man. The line is built to gauge and is long...

 to the west, south and north (via the westerly side of the island) or Manx Electric Railway
Manx Electric Railway
The Manx Electric Railway is an electric inter-urban tramway connecting Douglas, Laxey and Ramsey in the Isle of Man. It connects with the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway at its southern terminus at Derby Castle at the northern end of the promenade in Douglas, and with the Snaefell Mountain Railway at...

 on the east coast.

When bus competition became a threat to the Isle of Man Railway it bought out the bus company and operated it as "Isle of Man Road Services" in conjunction with the railway. In addition to the island-wide services Douglas Corporation also operated a fleet of buses around the capital, distinctive by their yellow livery. As the railway company began to falter, it relied more heavily on the bus operation, and when the railway lines closed for the first time in 1965 the bus services were intensified to replace the removed rail services.

The vehicles of Road Services carried an allover red livery with two off-white bands and the Railway Company crest was modified to include a facsimile of a bus instead of a railway locomotive. The buses of Douglas Corporation which only operated within the borough, carried an allover yellow livery with two red bands and corporation crest.

Both operators used the bus station on Lord Street in Douglas as their base although today this site has been given over to car park whilst buses use roadside lay-bys on Lord Street itself. The two companies operated services independently from this site until the operations began to falter in the early 1970s at which time government intervention was required to ensure continued operation.

Nationalisation

When the service was initially nationalised in 1976 the buses carried National Transport logos and a new livery, predominantly of red with white trim, having previously carried a variation of this colour scheme under the Road Services banner. The nationalised service was characterised by its use of many second hand vehicles from England, a practice which continued until relatively recently, from a variety of sources including Liverpool Corporation as well as the nearby Birkenhead Corporation
Birkenhead
Birkenhead is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral in Merseyside, England. It is on the Wirral Peninsula, along the west bank of the River Mersey, opposite the city of Liverpool...

.

By 1987 when a new management scheme was under way, a new livery of cream and red was introduced, and Isle Of Man Transport adopted as the title, using a similar design motif to all the island's government departments including a Three Legs motif. During this period the buses carried a variety of advertisements along their side panels, with several distinctive buses carrying all-over advertising for local businesses including the Gaiety Theatre
Gaiety Theatre, Isle of Man
The Gaiety Theatre is a theatre, on the Isle of Man. The theatre was built in 1899 to the designs of architect Frank Matcham, as an opera house and theatre. It was built on the site of the former Pavilion, an entertainment hall that had been constructed six years earlier.The theatre opened on 16...

, Lombard Bank
Lombard Bank
Lombard Bank Malta Plc is one of Malta's major banks, together with Bank of Valletta, HSBC Bank Malta and APS Bank. Today, Marfin Popular Bank of Cyprus is the largest shareholder with an equity stake of about 49%. Over 1,200 shareholders, including investment funds, hold the remaining shares...

, Wild Life Park
The Orchid Line
The Orchid Line is a multi-gauge miniature railway operating within the Curraghs Wildlife Park in the north of the Isle of Man and is operated by the Manx Model Engineering Society...

 and the National Coal Board
National Coal Board
The National Coal Board was the statutory corporation created to run the nationalised coal mining industry in the United Kingdom. Set up under the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act 1946, it took over the mines on "vesting day", 1 January 1947...

.

A further change of leadership in 1999 saw the introduction of brand-new buses and gradual phasing out of older stock, latterly used only on school services, and the advertising policy changed resulting in no advertisements appearing at all. By 2009 a further change of policy resulted in the reintroduction of advertisements which has proved popular, with local radio stations, estate agents, travel agents and cinemas taking advantage of the new scheme which operates on a fixed six-monthly rate for the space used. There are a number of vehicles fitted with trim for affixing adverts that do not carry them however.

Branding

The nationalised bus service on the island came into being in 1976 as National Transport taking over from both the Road Services (a subsidiary of the Isle of Man Railway Company
Isle of Man Railway
The Isle of Man Railway is a narrow gauge steam-operated railway connecting Douglas with Castletown and Port Erin in the Isle of Man. The line is built to gauge and is long...

) and Douglas Corporation Transport, operated by the municipal authority. The vehicles were liveried in an all-over red colour scheme, later changed to include wide white banding although with the fleet consisting of a wide selection of different second hand vehicles the uniform appearance was not successful. By 1987 the white banding had become cream in colour, and the full Isle of Man Transport title was added to all vehicles. During the period up to 1997 advertising panels were carried on the sides of some vehicles, and, in certain cases, all-over advertising was used (see above).

In April 2009, eleven new Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 vehicles were added to the fleet, carrying a maroon and cream livery with the Bus Vannin branding which is now used in all literature and timetabling information. Not all of the fleet have been rebranded to carry this new livery, however the Wright StreetLite vehicles that entered service in 2010 were delivered in the new livery although the overall colour scheme is largely cream with some maroon detailing, the opposite of the 2009 deliveries.

In 2011, Bus Vannin took delivery of 12 Mercedes-Benz O530LE Citaro single deckers, which appeared in a plain silver livery with Bus Vannin decals; further new buses are expected to arrive on the island in 2012 and these will be in another varied livery of silver. The bus service continues to be operated by the government but is now more clearly segregated from the railways, which are now titled Isle of Man Heritage Railways though they remain managed by the same group.

2010 saw the introduction of Hullad Oie (night owl) late night services on the timetable and these services operate at weekends into the early hours serving the satellite towns from Douglas departing at approximately midnight. Totems at bus stops are in the process of being updated to the new maroon scheme and wording also appears in Manx Gaelic on these, and digital destination displays on the vehicles also have an option to show the place names in the language as well.

Bus stations

There are 3 main bus depots on the island which provide passenger facilities and storage areas for off-duty buses. With the exception of Douglas, these are located at one position, with the Douglas storage area at Banks Circus being a workshop and bus yard with no passenger facilities. The passenger facilities provided at all the main stations are limited, and some facilities are only open during certain times of the day.
  • Douglas
    Douglas, Isle of Man
    right|thumb|250px|Douglas Promenade, which runs nearly the entire length of beachfront in Douglasright|thumb|250px|Sea terminal in DouglasDouglas is the capital and largest town of the Isle of Man, with a population of 26,218 people . It is located at the mouth of the River Douglas, and a sweeping...

     (Lord Street) - shelters only
  • Port Erin (Bridson Street) - toilets, waiting area
  • Ramsey
    Ramsey, Isle of Man
    Ramsey is a town in the north of the Isle of Man. It is the second largest town on the island after Douglas. Its population is 7,309 according to the 2006 census . It has one of the biggest harbours on the island, and has a prominent derelict pier, called the Queen's Pier. It was formerly one of...

     (Princes Road) - toilets, waiting room

Depots

In the past there have also been premises in Laxey, the site later being occupied by Princes Motors and vehicle storage yards are also located next to the depots at Port Erin and Ramsey. The facilities in Peel were lost in 2010. The garage and facilities in Ramsey were taken over from the original Manxland Omnibus Company, and have remained in bus company ownership ever since.

The yard at Port Erin is on the site of former railway platforms whilst the original garage now houses the Port Erin Railway Museum
Port Erin railway museum
The Port Erin Railway Museum in the village of Port Erin in the Isle of Man is a small display that shows the history of the Isle of Man Railway through exhibits and visual displays which chart the history of the railway from its opening in 1873 until the present day, covering the now-closed lines...

 which opened in 1975; the current garage was built as a replacement the following year and remains open today.
  • Douglas (Banks Circus)
  • Port Erin (Station Road)
  • Ramsey (Princes Road)

Bus Vannin route network

No.
From To Via Notes
1/X1
2
11
12
N1
Birch Hill Port St Mary (1/11/12/N1/X1)
Port Erin (2)
Douglas Promenade, Douglas (Lord St), Ronaldsway Airport, Castletown, Port Erin (1/N1)
Douglas (Lord St), Ronaldsway Airport, Castletown (2)
Rosemount, Douglas (Lord St), Ronaldsway Airport, Castletown, Port Erin (11/12)
Douglas (Lord St), Castletown, Port Erin (X1)
3/X3
3A
3B
N3
Douglas (Lord St) Ramsey St Ninian's, Onchan, Laxey
Onchan, Ballachrink, Laxey (Sundays and evenings)
Ballaragh, Laxey (3B)
4
4A
4B
Douglas (Lord St) Niarbyl (4)
Peel (4A)
IoM Business Park (4B)
White Hoe, Foxdale, Patrick, Glen Maye (4)
White Hoe, Foxdale, St John's (4A)
Peel Road (4B)
5
5A
N5
X5
Douglas (Lord St) (5/5A)
Ramsey (N5)
Douglas (Lord St) (X5)
Ramsey (5)
Peel (5A)
Peel (N5)
Peel (X5)
Nobles Hospital, St John's, Peel, Knocksharry, Wildlife Park (5)
Crosby, St John's (5A)
St John's (X5)
6
6A
6C
Douglas (Lord St) Ramsey (6)
Peel (6A)
Ramsey (6C)
Crosby, St John's, Peel, Knocksharry, Wildlife Park (6)
Nobles Hospital, St John's (6A)
Crosby, St John's, Peel, Cronk-y-Voddy, Wildlife Park (6C)
7
Peel Niarbyl Patrick, Glen Maye, Dalby
8
8A
Peel (8)
Port Erin (8A)
Port Erin (8)
Calf Sound (8A)
St John's, Foxdale, Airport, Castletown (8)
Bradda (8A)
9
9A
Douglas (Lord St) Ballabrooie Nobles Hospital (9)
13
13B
30
30A
Nobles Hospital (13)
Banks Circus (13B/30/30A)
Old Laxey (13/13B)
Port Jack (30)
Derbycastle (30A)
Douglas, Derbycastle, Groudle (13)
Douglas, Onchan, Groudle (13B)
Douglas Promenade, Derbycastle (30)
Douglas Promenade (30A)
16
Ramsey Maughold
17
17B
18
Ramsey Ramsey Jurby, Andreas, Smeale, Bride
Sulby, Ballaugh, the Lhen, Andreas, Regaby (17B)
Circular
19
Ramsey Ramsey Jurby, St Judes Circular
20
20A
Ramsey Ramsey Andreas, Smeale, Bride (20)
Bride, Smeale, Andreas (20A)
Circular
21
21A
21B
Douglas (Lord St) Douglas (Lord St) Farm Hill, Anagh Coar (21)
Ballaughton, Farm Hill, Anagh Coar (21A)
Anagh Coar, Nobles Hospital, Farmhill, Anagh Coar (21B)
Circular
22
22A
22W
Douglas (Lord St) Douglas (Lord St) Willaston, Manx Arms, Willaston (22)
Willaston, Birch Hill, Willaston (22A)
Willaston (22W)
Circular
23
23A
Nobles Hospital Onchan (Ballachrink/Lakeside) Douglas (Lord St), Dukes Road (23)
Douglas (Lord St), Lower Victoria Road (23A)
25
Nobles Hospital Nobles Hospital Douglas, Hailwood Avenue, Birch Hill, Douglas Circular
29
Douglas (Lord St) Port Soderick White Hoe


Ticketing and fares

Single and return tickets are available on the buses. Owing to the combined nature of operations, bus tickets are also valid on the Isle of Man Railway
Isle of Man Railway
The Isle of Man Railway is a narrow gauge steam-operated railway connecting Douglas with Castletown and Port Erin in the Isle of Man. The line is built to gauge and is long...

 to Port Erin and the Manx Electric Railway
Manx Electric Railway
The Manx Electric Railway is an electric inter-urban tramway connecting Douglas, Laxey and Ramsey in the Isle of Man. It connects with the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway at its southern terminus at Derby Castle at the northern end of the promenade in Douglas, and with the Snaefell Mountain Railway at...

 to Ramsey. The ticket prices are based on the zones all over the island, and multi-journey tickets vary in cost and colour depending zones you pass through when you use one. The standard fares vary from 50p to £1.40 for children and 90p to £3 for adults. Senior citizens travel free of charge at off-peak times.

A new timetable update was released in May 2011.

Since the update of the timetable in September 2010, there are several different new kinds of tickets available. The Short Hop fare is for passengers that are travelling up to 3 stops in towns. These cost 50 pence per ticket, and are bought on the vehicle. Multi-journey tickets, known as Manx Rider (previously known as Manx12) which are valid for twelve single journeys, and offer discounts averaging 25%. The price and discount are based on the normal bus fare for the journey rather than zones.

Island Explorer tickets entitle the holder to unlimited travel on scheduled services of the Steam Railway, Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway, Douglas Horse Trams and Buses (except Manx Express). Adult tickets include one accompanying child free of charge. Child fares apply between 5 and 15 years old, or those between 16 and 19 still in full time education in possession of a school card.

There are bus-only Island Explorer tickets available, which offers unlimited travel on scheduled bus services, except early morning and evening Manx Express services. These are available in 1, 3, 5 or 7 day options, with day tickets also available from on board the vehicle.

There is a 5 day Heritage Explorer ticket available and, like the Island Explorer ticket, this offers unlimited travel on scheduled bus services (except Manx Express buses), Isle of Man Steam Railway, Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway, and Douglas Horse Trams. This ticket, like the other Explorer tickets, gives a child (5 to 15 years) free travel with an accompanying adult, and their ticket. The ticket also entitles the holder free admission to all Manx National Heritage sites.

The full range of discount and Explorer tickets is available from the depot in Ramsey, manned ticket offices at the main railway and tramway stations and from the Welcome Centre in the Sea Terminal in Douglas.

Fleet

The Bus Vannin fleet currently has 84 vehicles in service as of November 2011. The fleet is largely double deck (65 vehicles) and has been entirely low floor since with the withdrawal of the last Leyland Olympian in July 2010. The DAF/VDL DB250LF is the mainstay of the Bus Vannin fleet, with 32 vehicles in service.

The Mercedes-Benz O530LE Citaro is the standard single deck vehicle in the fleet, with 12 of these vehicles entering service in 2011. These are the newest vehicles in the fleet. Six Wright StreetLites which were the only vehicles of an original batch of twelve delivered, are primarily used on rural services on the island. There is also a unique Alexander Dennis Dart in the fleet which is the last Dart in service with Bus Vannin, with the Marshall
Marshall Capital
The Marshall Capital was a single-decker bus body built by Marshall between 1997 and 2003. It was typically placed on the Dennis Dart SLF chassis, but it was also built on other chassis and used to rebody older chassis....

-bodied examples now having been withdrawn.

The double deck side of the fleet is more varied, with the most common type being 32 DAF/VDL DB250LFs with East Lancs Myllennium Lowlander bodywork. These are joined in the fleet by fourteen Alexander Dennis/TransBus Trident IIs with East Lancs Myllennium Lolyne bodywork and 11 Volvo B9TLs with Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodywork, these being the newest double decker vehicles in the fleet. There are also eight Dennis Trident IIs with East Lancs Lolyne bodywork, however these are now in the process of being withdrawn.

Fleet summary

Image Chassis Bodywork Number Built Notes
Single deck
Mercedes-Benz O530LE Citaro Mercedes-Benz Citaro
12
2011
Low floor
Wright StreetLite 9.5M
Wright StreetLite
The Wright StreetLite is a low-floor midibus introduced by Wrightbus of Ballymena, Northern Ireland during the summer of 2010.-Versions:The StreetLite is available in two differing body styles. The door forward version has the door placed before the front axle of the vehicle...

Wright StreetLite
6
2010
Low floor
Alexander Dennis Dart SLF
Dennis Dart
The Dennis Dart is a rear-engined midibus built by Dennis in the United Kingdom. More than 11,000 were built during 18 years of production....

East Lancs Spryte
East Lancs Spryte
The East Lancs Spryte is a single-decker bus body built by East Lancashire Coachbuilders. It was designed to body the Dennis Dart chassis, but a handful had been built on others, for example, the Volvo B6...

1
2005
Low floor
Total (single deck)
19
Double deck
DAF DB250LF
VDL DB250LF
VDL DB250
The VDL DB250 is a double-decker bus sold in the UK through VDL Bus International's UK dealer Arriva Bus & Coach. A small number of DB250s have also been exported to Istanbul, Turkey.-DB250:...

East Lancs Myllennium Lowlander
East Lancs Myllennium Lowlander
The East Lancs Myllennium Lowlander is the type of bus body built on the DAF/VDL DB250 chassis by East Lancashire Coachbuilders.-History:The Myllennium Lowlander superseded the East Lancs Lowlander. The Lowlander was also the East Lancs body for the DAF DB250, but in 2000, was given a facelift with...

32
2001–03
Low floor
Alexander Dennis Trident II
Dennis Trident 2
Dennis Trident 2 is a 2-axle low-floor double-decker bus chassis originally built by Dennis in the United Kingdom, which was unveiled in 1997 and replaced the Dennis Arrow...


TransBus Trident II
East Lancs Myllennium Lolyne
East Lancs Myllennium Lolyne
The East Lancs Myllennium Lolyne is a type of bus body built on the Dennis Trident 2 chassis by East Lancashire Coachbuilders.-History:The Myllennium Lolyne superseded the East Lancs Lolyne. The Lolyne was also the East Lancs body for the Dennis Trident 2, but in 2000, was given a facelift with...

14
2004–06
Low floor
Volvo B9TL
Volvo B9TL
The Volvo B9TL is a low-floor double-decker bus built by Volvo Buses since 2002. It superseded the older Volvo B10TL and the Volvo B7TL.-Chassis:...

Wright Eclipse Gemini 2
Wright Eclipse Gemini
The Wright Eclipse Gemini is a type of double-decker bus body built for Volvo B7TL and later Volvo B9TL and Volvo B5L Hybrid for use in the United Kingdom....

11
2009
Low floor
Dennis Trident II
Dennis Trident 2
Dennis Trident 2 is a 2-axle low-floor double-decker bus chassis originally built by Dennis in the United Kingdom, which was unveiled in 1997 and replaced the Dennis Arrow...

East Lancs Lolyne
East Lancs Lolyne
The East Lancs Lolyne is a type of double-decker bus body built by East Lancashire Coachbuilders. It is the double-deck version of the Spryte. It continued the long line of 'misspelt' names which continued until the Scania OmniDekka. It was built on the Dennis Trident 2 chassis.Later on in its life...

8
2000–01
Low floor
(Pending withdrawal)
Total (double deck)
65
Total (all vehicles)
84

External links

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