David Christian suggested money could be saved by having a straight forward trip up and down the promenades with stops at either end only.

He said the move would mean the tram would carry drivers only and eliminate the need for conductors.

Mr Christian said conductors don't stand at the back of the tram like they should but instead position themselves at the front with the driver 'taking no notice of the passengers'.

'Anyone could have fallen off and the conductor would have been none the wiser,' he said.

DO YOU THINK HORSE TRAMS SHOULD STOP ONLY AT EITHER END OF THE PROM?
Send your views to newsviews@newsiom.co.im

YOUR COMMENTS

What a ridiculous suggestion from David Christian (not the first either). What is the point of the horse tram 'service' if it doesn't serve. There aren't any hotels or shops at either end of the prom. The whole point is to be able to get on, for example, outside your hotel, and then get off at the shops - or anywhere else inbetween that takes your fancy, eg the Villa, the Gaiety, the Hilton (Palace whatever you want to call it) for the cinema.
NICI

This year I have witnessed a few near misses with passengers getting on and off the trams. Motorbikes and vans being the major culprits. I think the best solution all round would be to move the trams to the Promenade there is plenty of room and they would only have people walking and pedal bikes to deal with. The trams could be on the rails all summer and they would only have to walk the horses across the road from the stables. If they want to save money why not have passengers pay the driver before they get on this would be perfectly safe if they were on the walkway. Moving the trams would also widen the road for cars and would help with the traffic flow. The cost could be shared between the Government and Douglas corporation with both benefiting.
SANDY B, Douglas

I think the councillor needs to decide exactly what it is point is and what he is trying to achieve, is it safety or is it saving money.... If the primary concern is safety then why even say about saving money, after all the driver would have no way of ever knowing of an incident should it occur. So ensure the conductors are trained to know their job is safety too, and also the driver should be responsible enough to refrain from engaging in conversation, as his focus should be on the rather large animal in front of him. If its not about safety and its about saving money then they will do, as the trams will not make any, and only give justification to remove them altogether which im sure is in the back of the mind of a lot of people anyway. What supporting evidence is there that there is a true market for getting off at either end only, what figures can he produce? The last time I did that single journey was in the 80s when Summerland and the Aquadrome were at the far end and only a short hike up the hill to White City, now is there any major reason one would use the end to end service, I for one think not. There is never an easy answer when it comes to yet another thing that may be taken away of our National heritage, but decisions need to be made with a view to today and tomorrow, and Im sure there is something else that the budget resources it takes for the trams, could be put in to the town to benefit a higher proportion of users. (maybe a better place than the concrete park for one.)
ROGER

Absolutely ridiculous! What planet is he living on? Why on earth would you want to go up to the top and back only?? I do on occasions when I have family over, but usually jump on and get off at Broadway to walk up the hill and home. It is a wonderful part of our heritage and should be left well alone. It is well publicised that it has been running at a loss for many years…is that the issue here??? Leave the trams alone…and as for the ideas of putting on the promenade…Why? The traffic should be more than aware of the trams by now and should be stopping for the passengers to get off. The conductor is there to take the money and look after the passenger's safety. If the issue is the conductor sitting with the driver, policy should be changed for him to sit at the back. I am all for change, but this is one thing that should remain.
CLARE NEWALL, Douglas

I agree with other people's comments entirely..What is the point of a non- stop service? It would be nice to be able to rip up the entire road from Derby Castle to the Sea Terminal and put some sort of decent surface on this disgusting excuse for a main road, meaning one shortish period without the trams...but take them away for good?...At your peril Mr Christian...or are you being influenced by the 'right to speed' lobby who race up and down the Prom putting most people in danger? Nor do I see any reason to run the trams along the promenade walkway either....again, manor from heaven for the 'boy racer' types. Maybe a few less functions and free meals together with smaller expense accounts are required in Local Government in order to safeguard this National treasure.
TONY, Ramsey

We don't agree with Mr Christian, as regular visitors to the Isle of Man, we love having a ride on the horse tram. We love the tradition of having a conductor and being able to get on or off at various points along the promenade. Mr Christian's plans will end up costing more than they save in lost ticket sales from the visitors he alienates.
MR and MRS HINDLE, Lancashire, England

What a stupid suggestion really sounds to me like some jumped up douglas official trying to make himself out to be more important than he is. What is the point in having the trams stopping at either ends of the promenade what about elderly people who may not be able to walk that far that like to have a trip up and down the prom on a tram. Secondly the conductors generally do stand at the back of the tram and im not suprised they occasionally want to stand at the front im sure its a very boring job just going up and down the prom day after day checking tickets personally id want someone to talk to or to go have a chat with someone cos what else are you gonna do stand there looking like a lemon with no friends lol.
ANON

As a regular visitor to the island I would be very upset if the trams were to run end to end only or as is more likely the case stop altogether. Is this another example of the government desire to discourage tourists. on my last visit they wre looking to close down the sea front gift shops. a few years ago the villa marina and palace shops were all tastefully laid out gift and souvenior shops, now it seems the government want hair dressers and dental practices lining the prom. I realise torism is no longer the major form of income for the island but it is still a big enough one to invest in. If they keep eroding the tourist attractions and not investing in improving them then i foresee they will get their wish and tourism will be a thing of the past.
ALAN,
Stoke on Trent.

Ludicrous, this can only survive as a multi stop service.
SIMON

As a regular visitor to the island I would be very upset if the trams were to run end to end only or as is more likely the case stop altogether. Is this another example of the government desire to discourage tourists. on my last visit they wre looking to close down the sea front gift shops. a few years ago the villa marina and palace shops were all tastefully laid out gift and souvenior shops, now it seems the government want hair dressers and dental practices lining the prom. I realise torism is no longer the major form of income for the island but it is still a big enough one to invest in. If they keep eroding the tourist attractions and not investing in improving them then i foresee they will get their wish and tourism will be a thing of the past.
ALAN, Stoke on Trent

take away the horse trams altogether
JOHN

I am an ex horse tram driver and conductor.. I did stand at the front of the tram which was against the policy, however that does not stop you keeping an eye on passengers. There is one fundamental flaw in the councillors plan which exhibits an incredible degree of ignorance on his knowledge of one of the most important jobs of a conductor. This is at the horse change and turn around at each end. On a turn around it is the job of a conductor to apply the brake and lead the horse around to the opposite end of the tram for the next trip. This is a two man job – the conductor to lead the horse and the driver to hold on to the reigns and connecting bar. Whilst it is possible for driver to do this alone – it certainly is not advisable and the conductor adds to the safety of a turn around should a horse decide to do something stupid. On a horse change the conductor also plays an important role in holding the horse whilst the driver attaches it to the tram. This is another safety point. These important roles that the councillor seem to know nothing about mean that the conductors role is essential. As for only stopping at each end – what is the point?
ANDY B, Castletown