Plans to trial dial-a-ride bus schemes are still under starter’s orders.

They were due to take place earlier this year, but Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer told Tynwald there had been difficulties.

The Department of Infrastructure first applied to the Road Transport Licensing Committee for permission to operate such a service in July last year.

He revealed: ’There have been a number of applications for the same matter since.

’This was, I believe, as a result of contradictory legal advice received by the RTLC.

’The latest application for a demand-responsive transport trial service should be heard later this month.’

He said the first trial would be in the north of the island.

’In essence, some of the scheduled bus services operated with full-sized buses will be replaced by a request service operated with much smaller buses,’ he said.

’The aim is to run services that provide social inclusion and onward journey opportunities as best fits those who want to be transported, as well as reduce costs.’

If the application is approved, a service will be run on a trial basis in the autumn.

In November it was announced the first phase of trials would cover Bride, Andreas and Maughold.

At the time, Mr Harmer said the views of passengers would be at the forefront in the trial, but if it was a success, ’arrangements will be made permanent’.

Tynwald members also heard this week that the second aspect of the application was a scheme to run a service which seeks to provide patient transfer services.

’It will also transfer members of the public to catch early flights at the airport and early ferries at the Sea Terminal,’ he said.

’Again, the aim is to provide a better service and reduce costs.’