After 10 years as the director of public transport, Ian Longworth has stepped down from the role, writes Jess Ward.

The position will be filled by Ian Bates, who has been head of operations for two-and-a-half years.

This will be on a limited term basis, the government’s public transport bosses say.

Mr Longworth is not retiring as yet but he has reduced his working hours.

A spokesman said: ’Whilst the role of director could not be delivered on a part-time basis, Ian can and will continue to manage a number of the department’s major capital projects.

’Ian has the right to continue working as long as he wishes but has indicated that this move is part of a process that will lead up to his eventual retirement.

’The department tries to accommodate reasonable requests for changes from its staff and is pleased that this arrangement will suit both the employer and the employee.’

Mr Longworth has stepped down ahead of the historic horse tram tracks being removed due to a major revamp of Douglas Promenade, which will see changes to the tracks on Loch Promenade.

Throughout his career he has seen a number of changes carried out to the island’s public transport systems.

His list of achievements includes modernising the bus service, such as the introduction of a bus app, which allows customers to track their transport, a new electronic ticketing system on buses with the inclusion of contactless payment.

His overall work was praised by historian Charles Guard during the 125th anniversary of the Manx Electric Railway last year.

In a previous interview, Mr Guard said: ’When he first came into the job in 2009, the railways were not in the best of shape, but he has, with his dedicated staff, done a superb job.

’He can drive anything, but I’ve also seen him down cleaning and chatting to engineers. He has been the driving force behind the reinvigoration of our railways. I know he is to retire soon and I just wanted to say, he leaves behind a remarkable legacy.’

There have also been some low points in his tenure in charge.

There was the ’terrifying’ incident when a tram careered out of control down Snaefell mountain in August 2017.

The Department of Infrastructure admitted five health and safety breaches in relation to the incident and was fined £18,000.

Failsafe back-up brakes are to be fitted to ensure the public safety and other improvements have been made.

We have also reported on the trouble-prone locomotive diesel no.21, dubbed The Cabbage. In 2018 we revealed that nearly of a quarter of million pounds of taxpayers’ money was spent on repairs and yet the locomotive remained unfixed.

It has not turned a wheel since June 2015 - two years after it had been brought over to the island from the United States.

Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer admitted its purchase had been a mistake.

In 2013 there was the failed experiment with bendy-buses when public transport was in the former Department of Community Culture and Leisure (DCCL).

It was said that the buses would save £300,000 in fuel and staffing costs and £3million in capital costs by replacing older buses.

But a month-long trial proved they were unsuitable for Manx roads as a number of breakdowns occurred. There were also safety concerns as more than 90 children would be forced to stand on the buses during school runs.

Then there wasthe bus strike which began in 2013, which caused disruption to schools.

Drivers had voted for industrial action after the DCCL announced that workers’ paid lunch break would be cut.