New double-decker buses introduced next month

The new buses will be joining the Bus Vannin fleet in November

Six new double-decker buses will join the Isle of Man's bus fleet, at a cost of £1.4m.

The new vehicles are the first of their kind bought by Bus Vannin since the Covid pandemic, and will replace buses that have been in service for up to 14 years.

The government-owned public transport operator plans to have two of the vehicles painted in nostalgic colours - to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of a nationalised bus service next year.

Infrastructure Minister Michelle Haywood said the new buses would have "the latest clean diesel technology and an eco-efficient gearbox", which would help to reduce emissions.

The new vehicles will replace buses that have been in service for up to 14 years

The new additions to the fleet would be "more efficient than the ones they replace" while maintaining the "reliable, clean and comfortable service" people on the island depended on, the minister added.

Built in Northern Ireland, the new buses are set to arrive on the island in November.

Director of Bus Vannin, Ian Bates, said the replacement of buses within the fleet happened on a "rolling basis".

"As the buses age, they become unreliable, require additional maintenance and are prone to gearbox or engine failures, which can cost over £35,000 to replace."

He said those buses that were being replaced in 2025 had covered about 600,000 miles (695,906km) over their lifespans.

One of the new vehicles will be painted in the yellow hue used by the former Douglas Corporation bus fleet, with another of the new fleet set to be painted in the red shade associated with the Isle of Man Road Services.

The two operators merged in October 1976 to form the publicly-owned Isle of Man National Transport, which now runs under the name Bus Vannin.