Charity offers £9k to run Snaefell route, after DOI axe rail service

Manx Electric Railway Society cover cost of four week's operation

The Manx Electric Railway Society has put forward £9,000 to run the line up to Snaefell, after the Department of Infrastructure declined to do so.

It follows the Infrastructure Minister Tim Baker's comments on Friday that the there wasn’t enough ‘financial footfall’ to justify running the service.

The MERS says it believes £9,000 will be more than enough to cover the costs of four weeks operation starting on the railway's 125th anniversary, on 21 August.

It adds 'the £9,000 will be a backstop. If the trams run and do not cost the Government money then it can be used to restore a tramcar which is presently out of use and accordingly the gift will be consistent with our objectives as a charity.'

Manx Radio has contacted the Department of Infrastructure for comment.