Isle of Man bus strike: 10 days of transport chaos ahead

Isle of Man braces for 10-day bus strike starting Saturday

Bus services on the Isle of Man will face major disruption from Saturday, February 21, as Bus Vannin workers begin a 10-day strike. The action follows a long-running dispute between Unite the Union and the Department of Infrastructure (DoI) over pay and working conditions. Alternative transport plans, including early tram services and a limited bus timetable, are now being put in place.

The strike comes after the union rejected a fifth pay offer during negotiations. Unite members are protesting proposed changes to premium pay rates and employment terms. With no agreement reached, Bus Vannin will operate a heavily reduced service from February 21.

To ease pressure on school and commuter travel, the Manx Electric Railway (MER) will start running from Monday—weeks ahead of its scheduled March 17 opening. Normally, the MER does not begin seasonal services until mid-March, but the DoI is drafting a basic timetable to support key routes. This will be published once finalised. The DoI also plans to run an hourly bus service on main corridors, with further expansions depending on available staff. Trams will operate earlier than usual to help children reach school on time. However, Banks Circus Depot will remain closed to the public throughout the strike due to limited resources.

The strike is set to last 10 days, affecting thousands of daily commuters and school pupils. While the MER and a reduced bus service will provide some relief, travellers are advised to plan ahead for delays. The DoI has not confirmed when full services might resume.