TravelWatch meeting tomorrow

The autumn public meeting of TravelWatch will be held at the Villa Marina tomorrow.

The group was set up to look after the interests of Isle of Man air, boat and bus passengers.

Sea travel will be firmly under the spotlight as Steve Rodan, the chairman of the Select Committee of Tynwald which examined the Steam Packet User Agreement, is attending.

TavelWatch has made a submission to the current Office of Fair Trading enquiry into Steam Packet fares.

The main recommendations were more transparency and availability when special offers are made, and a review of late booking, changes to travel, fares in general and extra charges.

Also mentioned was a need for prices to both encourage passenger travel and allow the Steam Packet to make a reasonable return.

Other areas likely to be discussed include the loss of two operators at Ronaldsway Airport in recent months, and an update on progress with the ongoing bus review.

Tomorrow's meeting at the Villa Marina starts at 10am, with doors opening half an hour earlier.