'Our bus service can help combat rural isolation'

The 8 and 8S route between Peel and The Sound was introduced earlier this year

A woman who is campaigning to keep an Isle of Man bus route going is to hold weekly warm space meetings, to encourage use of the bus while tackling rural isolation.

Christa Marion-Viohl launched pressure group "Save Our Cregneash Bus" after a seasonal route serving the island's southern beauty spots was scrapped last year.

The 8 and 8S bus route between Peel and The Sound via Cregneash was introduced earlier this year, which the Department of Infrastructure said would remain under review.

Ms Marion-Viohl will begin the hour-long sessions at The Howe Methodist Church at 13:20 GMT on Wednesdays from 3 December, to coincide with the bus service.

She said the sessions would enable the community to "enjoy some company and get out of isolation" and would also include talks about topics relating to the south of the island.

She added the sessions would "hopefully bring quite a few people on the bus and reduce loneliness."

Christa Marion-Viohl petitioned for a bus service to be reinstated to Cregneash

Ms Marion-Viohl said: "If you look at the bus, there are hardly any passengers.

"We are worried the service is going to be axed."

The winter closure of Cregneash, as well as poor weather, were core reasons that she believed there had been a seeming decline.

But she added: "when I look at the other buses, there is also a decline on those services during the winter."

"The 8 and 8S is a very important service for the locals and commuters who work at The Sound, it is not just for tourists," she said.

"It might help to reduce it to every two hours during the winter," she continued, "because we have to be realistic and find a proper balance between what is payable and what is going to help the locals.

"There are quite a few people who are isolated in their home, who struggle to walk," she said, adding the winter programme sessions would act as a warm space.