THE number of ferry passengers between Merseyside and the Isle of Man surged by 9% during a successful 2007 season.
Figures for the first two months are also up on last year and advance bookings for the TT races in May have also increased, says the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.
The total number of passengers travelling between the island and Liverpool and Birkenhead was 290,035, up from 264,958.
The overall performance was also helped by an additional service from Birkenhead during winter weekends when bookings rose by 30%.
Michael Brew, director of harbours on the island, said: “Last year saw passenger numbers increase every month.
“The overall total has brought passenger traffic back to the levels last seen in 2003, and has halted the decline seen since then. Operating to Birkenhead resulted in a net gain of 771 passengers.” Mark Woodward, chief executive of the Steam Packet, said: “It is pleasing to see that our decision to sail to Birkenhead at winter weekends has been met with such success.”
