DOI Clarifies Plan in Minibus Row

Wed, 23 Mar 2016

Phil Gawne MHK - DOI Minister

Plans to centralise the Island’s School Minibuses in to the DOI Fleet have met with fierce resistance prompting an apparent U Turn by the Department.

DOI Minister Phil Gawne last night reassured a public meeting in Arbory that schools would be able to choose whether they retained their own Minibus or used the DOI Central Service.

Many of the vehicles were originally bought with funds raised by school supporters such as PTA’s and charities, yet Government proposals made public last week were said to transfer the buses to DOI, leading to the backlash.

In a key change, minibuses would remain under the control of schools with DOI taking on the administration, maintenance, licencing and driver training.

Phil Gawne told the meeting that the service would be free to schools.