Infrastructure Minister Tim Baker has come under fire for possibly waiting until next year before introducing a permanent ’night owl’ bus service linking Ramsey with Peel.

He was questioned on whether he would consider a permanent late-night Friday service from Ramsey to Peel and from Ramsey to Douglas via Peel.

A similar, temporary, service had proven popular in the summer and will also be in operation at Christmas, Mr Baker said, but any thoughts on a permanent service would have to wait until the annual timetable reorganisation in March.

The issue was raised by Lawrie Hooper (LibVannin, Ramsey) who said the service needed to be more regular than ’something that gets put on every once in a while’.

Ralph Peake (Douglas North) was also critical.

He said: ’It would be better to respond to events and to the current climate landscaping of the business and residential needs, rather than just waiting for March to come around.’

Mr Baker said the department had to go through a ’structured process’, but would look into the possibility.

He warned such a service would have to be economically viable. ’It needs to enhance the department’s financial provision, not detract from it.’

Earlier, he had outlined the format of current night owl services, which operates routes between Douglas/Peel, Douglas/Port Erin and Douglas/Ramsey.

’These services are outside the subvention for socially necessary services and must cover their costs, which is why the fare rate of double the normal day fare is charged,’ he said.

A link between Peel and Ramsey had been considered before but would require an extension of depot opening hours and was therefore ’unlikely the costs would be covered’.

He added: ’The department does constantly monitor demand and potentially the success this summer could lead to a repeat next summer.’