Bus Vannin’s bid to extend its dial-a-ride minibus service - Connect Villages - in and around the north of the island has been met cautiously by Ramsey Commissioners.

They say they welcome any improvements to the public transport system but are concerned it could result in loss of business for local taxis.

The Connect Villages scheme currently operates under a temporary licence, linking Ramsey to communities in the north.

State-subsidised Bus Vannin has now applied to the Road Transport Licensing Committee to operate later on Friday and Saturday nights until 12.15am (following the arrival of the bus from Douglas); on Sundays between 8.30am and 5.10pm and on bank holidays between 7.30am and 6.10pm.

The operator says the variations are required to provide weekend evening leisure opportunities in Ramsey for residents in the north, to replace the fixed large bus service on Sunday, and to cater for shop staff in Ramsey on bank holidays.

It is also planned to replace the existing timetabled services to Maughold on Sundays.

Commissioner Juan McGuinness said: ’I am in favour of improving the bus services, especially Friday and Saturday nights to and from Ramsey, but the taxi trade is clinging on by its fingertips and could lead to no taxis in the north.

’Also, I’d hate it to reduce our current No 5 service [which links Ramsey and Peel]. This simply cannot happen’.

He proposed that a letter to this effect will be sent to the licensing authority and this was agreed.

An investigation is currently being carried out by the Office of Fair Trading into claims that the operation is competing unfairly with the taxi trade.