FUEL surcharges on passengers travelling to the Isle of Man from Liverpool have been cut for the second time in three months during the busiest period of the year.
March’s £3reduction has been followed by a further £1.50, taking the individual charge down to £3.50. It comes at a time when the island receives its biggest influx of visitors for the TT motorbike racing festival.
The movement in the tax is linked to oil prices and a formula drawn up with the Manx government’s Department of Transport.
A foot passenger can travel one-way from around £24.
In addition, the charge on freight vehicles has been reduced from £5 to £4.47 a metre.
Reviews will continue to take place every three months, based on the fluctuations in both gas and oil costs.
Isle of Man Steam Packet Company chief executive, Mark Woodward, said: ‘This latest review of the fuel surcharge has been carried out in strict accordance with the new agreement with the Department of Transport.
‘This new agreement is good news for both the Steam Packet Company and the Isle of Man, and has resulted in a substantial fall in the surcharge for passengers and a further reduction in the rate for freight, which fell by 37% at the previous review in March.
“The new agreement reflects current market rates and forecasts and three-monthly reviews will reflect market changes more promptly than the old agreement.”
Meanwhile, biker bookings for the TT festival increased by 5.7% to more than 9,050, compared to around 8,550 last year.
In order to transport the racing enthusiasts to the island, the company operated 104 sailings during the nine-day run-up to race week. This is a substantial increase of 44% on the normal schedule at this time of year.
The arrival of the new fast craft, Manannan, and the extra capacity she brings has enabled the company to meet demand during the TT without the need to charter additional vessels.
Mr Woodward added: “I am delighted with this year’s TT bookings, which show an increase on 2008, especially taking into account the economic climate we are all experiencing at the moment.
“Our ability to deliver a sailing schedule that is far outside our normal schedule, with the resulting operational considerations and complexities, demonstrates the continuing commitment to the TT and the island.”
The Steam Packet Company is now taking bookings for TT 2010, and already reports strong volumes and enquiries.
