Tram services open for commuters

The trams are popular with visitors to the island

Isle of Man commuters are being urged to make the most of the electric tram service as some roads are closed over the TT festival period.

Commuters are being offered extra tram services between Douglas and Ramsey until the end of the week.

Extra commuter steam train services are also running between Port Erin and Douglas on the island.

The tram services have not been as busy as expected, but operators say this may be because of the longer journey times.

'More effort'

The journey on the electric railway takes about one hour and 45 minutes.

All the running trams are original ones, with one dating back to 1893.

Head of railways Peter Ogden said: "Take up on the railway has been quite low, but it is quite a long journey.

"The railway is open seven days a week, and I expect most residents would usually use the service as a leisure activity, during holidays and at weekends."

Ramsey resident Peter Beighton said he was surprised that he was one of the only people travelling on the tram most of the time.

"It has taken me a bit more effort, but I've really enjoyed it," he said.

"It's sad to have to say that this is the probably the one and only time that the service will be put on.

"Few people have taken up the offer and I don't think we'll see it repeated, purely on cost grounds."