TIMETABLES would have to be altered dramatically and a revised fare structure introduced if commuters from Ramsey were to start using the Manx Electric Railway to get to work in Douglas.

Those are the basic facts which would have to be considered before any scheme was introduced, Tynwald has been told in a written answer to a question.

David Callister MLC wanted to explore the possibility of commuters using the MER to get to work in Douglas from Ramsey, thereby saving fuel costs and reducing traffic congestion for the hundreds of vehicles which currently make the daily journey across the mountain.

However, a number of obstacles would face such a scheme, not least being that the service does not currently start until mid morning and only operates between March and November.,

Another major factor is the travel time - approximately 45 minutes - and the necessity to then use a bus, taxi or even a horse tram to get to work from the MER depot at the end of Douglas promenade.

The reply from the Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure, David Cretney, said that the cost of rail fares was around twice that of bus fares and that there was a fundamental difference between the two in that one (rail) was "a journey of desire" and the other "a journey of necessity".

He added, "A revised fare structure would need to be considered for any proposal to extend the services of the Manx Electric Railway to provide journeys at the times needed for commuter use.

"Currently the first arrival in Ramsey from Douglas is 10.55, the first in Douglas from Ramsey is 11.25. If the current times suit an individual commuter then a residents’ season ticket at £50 per adult would represent the most economical ticketing option."