The Isle of Man marked 50 years of publicly owned bus services with a day of celebrations recognising the role the network has played in connecting communities.

Bus Vannin staff were welcomed to Douglas City Hall on Thursday by Mayor Steve Crellin before taking part in free heritage bus shuttle services around the capital.

The celebrations culminated in an evening reception at the House of Manannan in Peel, attended by Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer, Lady Lorimer and representatives from the island's heritage and transport sectors.

A commemorative plaque was unveiled by Sir John to mark the 50th anniversary, alongside the opening of exhibition ‘Keeping the Island Moving: 50 Years of Nationalised Bus Services’.

The exhibition, developed by Manx National Heritage in partnership with Bus Vannin, explores the evolution of the island's bus network since it was brought into public ownership on October 1, 1976.

It features photographs, archive material, historic objects and personal stories showing how buses have continued to connect communities and provide access to essential services.

Ian Bates, head of Public Transport, said the anniversary provided an opportunity to highlight the work carried out by Bus Vannin.

He said: ‘It's a great opportunity from Bus Vannin’s perspective to celebrate. What probably goes unnoticed a lot of the time is the bus service that's out there. It's a good reason to promote what we do, get better at communicating, and obviously celebrate the history.’

Mayor Steve Crellin said the service had continued to develop over the years.

He added,:‘The service has got better and better through the years, and it's great for visitors.’

Nicola Tooms, assistant curator at Manx National Heritage, said the exhibition would celebrate a service that had touched the lives of generations of island residents.

She said: ‘Almost everyone in the Isle of Man has a memory connected to the bus service, whether it's travelling to school, heading into town or visiting family and friends.’

The exhibition runs at the House of Manannan until November 22, with free admission.

The Mayor welcomed all walks of Manx life for the celebrations
The Mayor welcomed all walks of Manx life for the celebrations (n/a)
Former Chief Minister Tony Brown (right) and Douglas City Mayor Steven Crellin JP met Peel's new Member of the House of Keys, Daniel Davison, for the first time at last Thursday's exhibition opening
Former Chief Minister Tony Brown (right) and Douglas City Mayor Steven Crellin JP met Peel's new Member of the House of Keys, Daniel Davison, for the first time at last Thursday's exhibition opening (Photo: John Watterson) (John Watterson)
His Excellency, Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer with Roger Phillips (left), vice-chairman of Manx National Heritage, and Ian Bates (right), director of Public Transport Services, at the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the nationalisation of the bus services
His Excellency, Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer with Roger Phillips (left), vice-chairman of Manx National Heritage, and Ian Bates (right), director of Public Transport Services, at the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the nationalisation of the bus services (Photo: John Watterson) (John Watterson)
The virtual bus drive experience will keep people of all ages enthralled
The virtual bus drive experience will keep people of all ages enthralled (John Watterson)
People gathered at the House of Manannan for the celebrations
People gathered at the House of Manannan for the celebrations (John Watterson)
Mayor Steve Crellin waiting at the 'Stad Barroose'
Mayor Steve Crellin waiting at the 'Stad Barroose' (n/a)
Mayor Steve Crellin alongside Ian Bates in front of two buses steeped in Manx history
Mayor Steve Crellin alongside Ian Bates in front of two buses steeped in Manx history outside the Douglas City Hall on Thursday (n/a)
Ian Bates signing himself in for the celebrations at the Town Hall in Douglas
Ian Bates signing the guestbook at Douglas City Hall (N/A)