<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1WH1PJ_0w31d0g100" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1WH1PJ_0w31d0g100" width="787" height="443" ><figcaption>Manx bus drivers have a two week notice period after handing in their resignation [Credit: BBC] </figcaption></figure><p> Disruption to Manx public bus services is set to continue for six weeks while new drivers receive training to plug timetable gaps, the infrastructure minister has said. </p><p> Passengers have faced a raft of cancellations to the island's public bus services in recent weeks due to a lack of qualified bus drivers. </p><p> Tim Crookall MHK said the operator Bus Vannin was "trying to keep on top" of the situation and apologised to users who had been affected. </p><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate><p> He confirmed eight new staff members had been recruited, to fill most of the 10 full-time vacancies, and said it could take up to six weeks to complete their training. </p><h2> Resignations and retirements </h2><p> The frequency of <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp39l96k1n7o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bnewsbreak.com%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow"> Sunday services </a> has been reduced, and a science, technology, engineering and maths event aimed at Manx primary school children was also <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2dp824kxdno?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bnewsbreak.com%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow"> postponed due to issues with transport </a> amid the shortages. </p><p> Crookall said the service was "well used" so he understood the frustrations of those who found themselves waiting at stops for cancelled buses. </p><p> He added he was confident, once the new recruits were trained and had passed the required tests, services would be "back to near normal". </p><p> But as the vacancies had been created due to resignations and retirements, the minister said: "I can't say it's never going to happen again." </p><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate><p> "Hopefully we're on the way to resolving this and things are getting better," he said. </p><p> Following a <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cnke41zv74jo?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bnewsbreak.com%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow"> consultation on the service </a> , Crookall said the routes and frequencies of services across the island would "be looked at" as part of the creation of a new bus strategy, set to be put together in line with a wider transport strategy. </p><p> The process was "making us look at what we deliver, how we deliver it" and consider "if it is working properly for us", he added. </p><p><em> Why not follow BBC Isle of Man on </em><a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/bbcisleofman/" rel="nofollow"><em> Facebook </em></a><em> and </em><a href="https://twitter.com/BBCIsleofMan" rel="nofollow"><em> X </em></a><em> ? You can also send story ideas to </em><a href="mailto:isleofman@bbc.co.uk" rel="nofollow"><em> IsleofMan@bbc.co.uk </em></a></p><h2> More on this story </h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2dp824kxdno?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bnewsbreak.com%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow"> Education event postponed due to transport issues </a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp39l96k1n7o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bnewsbreak.com%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow"> Sunday bus services cut due to driver shortages </a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjrdrv2djv5o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bnewsbreak.com%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow"> Passengers warned of possible disruption to buses </a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgq220nvlwzo?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bnewsbreak.com%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow"> Feedback wanted on Manx transport strategy aims </a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cnke41zv74jo?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bnewsbreak.com%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow"> Proposals could see running of buses overhauled </a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cyer3dnxp01o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bnewsbreak.com%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow"> Bus fares rise as new timetable comes into force </a></li></ul><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate><h2> Related internet links </h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/departments/infrastructure/" rel="nofollow"> Isle of Man Government - Department of Infrastructure </a></li><li><a href="https://www.iombusandrail.im/" rel="nofollow"> Bus Vannin </a></li></ul></div></body>

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Bus service disruption to continue for six weeks

A total of eight bus drivers are in training to plug service gaps, the infrastructure minister says.

Bus service disruption to continue for six weeks

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