Max Power

Apologies, I edited my post as you were posting. If you look at the table in the Which report, all those companies come out ahead of the SPCo in the customer surveys.

John, I'm a fan of the SPCo, but I was horrified at the price of a return Seacat sailing to Liverpool, which I was forced to buy. I couldn't wait a week and travel at a different time, although I did book three weeks in advance...£134! Same week, Hull Rotterdam, 10 hour trip with cabin, £255 return. Both as a foot passenger and the P&O ferry is like a mini liner, entertainment, nice choice of dining options, as I know you are aware of being a regular traveller. I understand the limitations of operating on short journeys, but the SPCo is our lifeline, we need reliable travel at a respectable price.

'Which' Magazine has just completed a survey of UK ferry companies, in the domestic league table, IOMSPCo are a distant last place. Ferries to the Isle of Man Isle of Man Steam Packet Until the Steam Packet started in 1830, the Isle of Man could be cut off for weeks. You’d think the world’s oldest continually operating ferry service would be a treasured public service. But the Isle of Man government-owned route is the worst rated of any domestic route. Long-suffering islanders complain about poor facilities, too many cancellations and ‘sky-rocketing prices’. Plans to improve reliability by making staff sleep on board (to ‘respond more flexibly to bad weather’) and firing those who refuse, provoked a union dispute. https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/ferries/article/best-and-worst-ferries-for-2024-aZBMl6S5heSv

I believe there are regulations covering operators, but he is just a driver apparently. I suppose if he had broken driving regulations it would be a different matter?

I'm not sure if this is embargoed but there was a lot of concern for a young girl from Ballaugh having gone missing a couple of days ago, and all sorts of speculation has followed. Now there appears to be nothing, has she been found safe and well, or is she still missing?

That ghastly sinking feeling you get when someone announces: "The children have written a little play for us, and now they’d like to perform it, so can everyone come into the living room please," is exactly what you get when you think of a Comin roadshow!

Thanks Roger, I think you're right. I should research more before I post!

Well, things are different in these enlightened times. I was thinking of starting a similar thread about the guy who had a credit card type blade going onto the boat, but was picked up in the search area. He was carrying it unknowingly as he was an outdoors person and used it for his job or whatever. Instead of just confiscating it, he finds himself in court, with all that entails, and ended up with 12 months probation! I imagine an armed response unit were called, pinned him down at gunpoint and he missed his ferry?? https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/probation-for-man-caught-with-knife-at-sea-terminal/

Chairman of RTLC and the taxi union and federation speak out.... https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/rtlc-defends-taxi-tariff-changes/

Oh deary me, another permanent bombsite in the offing?

That's probably a conspiracy theory though, why would they want to decimate the taxi industry, I can't think of a reason, the late buses are busy anyway? Why did nobody appear to complain about the 11pm uplift when the proposed changes were put out for comments?

I think it gives the taxi drivers discretion to charge less, this is only the maximum fare. They were all asked if they wanted the fares raised if you read the notification, the majority of respondents said yes, many didn't bother to respond by the looks of it. It's not happened behind their backs so why are they complaining, it's been done to help them rather than anything else, I'm sure they would be moaning if they hadn't had an inflation increase? It says pre booked cabs can have a negotiated fare, surely that's ideal for everyone, not on the meter.

No, it's determined by what locals spend in the Manx economy. So a share is given back.

The IoM collects VAT and fuel duty, amongst other things, on behalf of HMRC, the island gets a VAT rebate in return.

HMRC is not a Manx body, all payable to the UK, except driver's income tax. We get a partial rebate on VAT only at a pre-determined amount..

Probably not indeed?

We get an amount in rebate on VAT, the UK government take the lion's share, the taxes are not Manx taxes. You're talking about a miniscule amount and it wouldn't even be a consideration of the RTLC I wouldn't think?

Well, I'm certain that it was done in collaboration with the taxi trade, there's no benefit to government in increasing taxi fares? From @piebaps post in the hospitality thread... REVIEW OF FARE METER TARIFF Following the Committee’s invitation to all PPV Operators and interested parties to make proposals or representations in connection with the Committee’s recent review of the fare meter tariff, the Committee hereby gives notice that it has now determined the maximum fares to be charged with effect from 22nd April 2024. The Committee is grateful to those operators and organisations that took time to present submissions. A total of 28 PPV operators made submissions to the RTLC office including members of the Isle of Man Unite Taxi Branch. Input was also received from the Manx Taxi Federation. A summary follows below: Tariff 1 No increase No opinion 39% Between 1% - 5% 7% Between 5% - 8% 46% Flag Drop £4, 30p increments 4% 4% Tariff 2 No increase Between 1% - 5% 39% Reduce to 33% over tariff 1 46% Bring forward to 23:00 (last until 06:00) 7% Flag Drop £5, 30p increments 4% 4% Extras No opinion £1 per extra person, £1 per bag 82% Tariff 3 for Xmas Day (plus others, up to RTLC) 4% £2 airport pick up charge No extras for passengers or bags 7% 4% 4% Page 2 of 11 Circular No: 569 – 12th April 2024 Circular No: 569 – 12th April 2024 Page 3 of 11 The Committee noted that the tariffs had not been increased since 2022 and that inflation and the cost of living had increased markedly since then. The Committee and the Trade are, however, also mindful of the needs of the public as well as the current economic climate which affects everyone. The danger of increasing fares to levels which could prove counterproductive to the taxi industry must be acknowledged along with rising costs. Following careful consideration of the representations and proposals made in connection with the review, the Committee has agreed the following changes to the Tariff;  Tariff 1 to increase by 30p at the flag drop. No change in distances or increments.  Tariff 2 to increase by 40p at the flag drop. No change in distances or increments.  Tariff 2 to start at 23:00 and finish at 06:00 (was 00:00 to 06:00).  The extra charge for picking up from the Airport rank to be increased from £1.50 to £2.00. Tariff 1 – Basic Fares For the first 180 yards or the first 60 seconds £3.80 For each subsequent 180 yards or 45 seconds up to a total distance of 17,640 yards 20p For each subsequent 200 yards or 45 seconds above 17,640 yards 20p Tariff 2 – Premium Rate Periods For the first 170 yards or the first 60 seconds £4.70 For each subsequent 170 yards or 30 seconds up to a total distance of 17,680 yards 30p For each subsequent 200 yards or 30 seconds above 17,680 yards 30p Tariff 2 to apply;  Between 23:00 and 06:00 daily.  After 18:00 on 24th December 2024 (Christmas Eve) and 31st December 2024 (New Year’s Eve).  All day on the following days:  Spring Bank Holiday – 27th May 2024  New Year’s Day – 1st January 2025  TT Bank Holiday – 7th June 2024  Good Friday – 18th April 2025  Tynwald Day – 5th July 2024  Easter Monday – 21st April 2025  Summer Bank Holiday – 26th August 2024  Early May Bank Holiday – 5th May 2025  Christmas Day – 25th December 2024  Spring Bank Holiday – 26th May 2025  Boxing Day – 26th December 2024  TT Bank Holiday – 6th June 2025 Extras Each passenger in addition to the hirer (two children under twelve years of age to be reckoned as one passenger). 50p Each suitcase, perambulator, large parcel, box etc, or wheelchair stowed in the boot of the vehicle – not to be used for groceries, school backpacks, laptop bags or handbags. 50p £2.00 For every journey commencing from the Airport, Ballasalla Contamination fee – for fouling a ply for hire car causing it to go out of service Distance Miles Distance Yards Tariff 1 1 1,760 Tariff 2 £5.60 2 3,520 £7.70 £7.60 3 5,280 £10.70 £9.60 4 7,040 £14.00 £11.60 5 8,800 £17.00 £13.40 6 10,560 £20.00 £15.40 7 12,320 £23.30 £17.40 8 14,080 £26.30 £19.40 9 15,840 £21.20 £29.30 10 £32.60 17,600 £23.20 11 £35.60 19,360 £25.00 12 £38.30 21,120 £26.80 13 £41.00 22,880 £28.60 14 £43.40 24,640 £30.20 15 £46.10 26,400 £32.00 20 £48.80 35,200 £40.80 25 £62.00 44,000 £49.60 30 £75.20 52,800 £58.40 £88.40 £100.00 Operators must ensure that fare-meters calibrated to display the new fares are checked and sealed by the PPV Inspector before the new charges can be applied. This must also happen each time a Ply for Hire car is changed for any reason. The use of a Fare Meter in a Private Hire Car or Minibus is not prohibited by the Road Transport Act 2001 or any of its supporting Regulations. However, if a Private Hire vehicle is fitted with a meter it must be calibrated to display the new fares, and the meter must be checked and sealed by the PPV Inspector in the same way as applies to Ply for Hire cars. Operators should note that a Public Passenger Vehicle shall not be used for hire under a Section 29 Ply for Hire Service Licence unless a fare meter complying with British Standards Institute specification BS EN 50148:1996 for electronic taxi meters is used to calculate the fare. Detailed provision for the fares and fare-meters is made in the Public Passenger Vehicles (Fares and Fare-Meters) Regulations 2002. Copies of this document can be found in the “Document Library” on the RTLC website or obtained from the RTLC office. The PPV Inspector will be conducting meter-checking sessions at times and places to be determined later. Please look out for a subsequent AD&N announcing this. Circular No: 569 – 12th April 2024 Page 4 of 11 1. APPLICATIONS

Well, it's only to benefit the taxi trade, by helping them meet their rising costs, what's the problem?

These are the maximum fares, operators don't have to charge them if they don't want to. They are usually raised or changes made in consultation with the taxi trade, so what's the complaint?

I think that they are intimidated by the likes of Charles Guard and Peter Kelly, and scared that they will be held responsible for allowing it to be demolished, losing all that valuable history and heritage! Shouldn't be in the job, some things you need balls for!

Unfortunately, most of those who made decisions affecting the safety of Summerland are now dead, including the nodding dogs at Douglas Corporation, who changed the by laws to allow the dangerous Oroglass, which was known to be flammable!

I just received a birthday card, posted 1st April, arrived 22nd April from Newcastle.

An interesting, if long, New Yorker article on the ills affecting Britain, including reasons for Brexit. Definitely worth a read if you have time. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/04/01/what-have-fourteen-years-of-conservative-rule-done-to-britain?utm_source=twitter&utm_brand=tny&utm_social-type=owned&utm_medium=social&mbid=social_twitter