Please all of you look at the non TT message board and sign the petition relating to the Steam Packet co if you have any grouses about their service.There MUST be more of you out there. If they gave a better service there would be more visitors to see the best road racing in the world.As it is, it is a miracle that anyone wants to visit the Isle of Man ever again :twisted:

http://www.petitiononline.com/IOMOFT/petition.html

Good on you for getting this going, but the thread is about IOM locals isnt it?
Not for us "occasional users"

No, it's for everyone who uses the boats. Visitors are particularly important. Just because you're here on a break, doesn't mean you might not use the day return service.

Another 40+ signatures this evening, and some suggestion that they may consider some weekend day return trips....

Entry 1058

Kev

1600

Well done, everybody. They have had to go away and think about it:
http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/Steam-Pac...3457128.jp

Nearly 1900 signatures now.
There was a big meeting at the Villa on Saturday, but I was otherwise engaged, so I wonder if anyone else was there and can say what happened.
Tynwald are to discuss the SPC today.

Thanks for the update Helen.The SPC comments so far are about changes to their new schedule.They have made no mention of the fact that many people who signed the petition also made scathing comments about the general service given by them.No doubt they will sweep those away into the Irish Sea,as usual :roll:

I was wrong (as all Manx residents will know) The Tynwald debate is Wednesday

I'll look forward to any news coming from the debate later this week. It smacks of a bit of an own goal, think Ratners! (Remember Gerald Ratners infamous words?)

Might it be worth mentioning a couple of things happening in Liverpool in 2008?

January sees the opening ceremony when Liverpool becomes European Capital of Culture for 2008. It's going to be very special with some top events planned. A reduced winter schedule to and from Liverpool will penalise those culture vultures among you on the Island.

Why IOMSP chose to cut back sailings this winter is odd given the likely interest from the IOM in Liverpool this winter/spring 2008. Not to mention the football fans and shoppers regular visits. As always you'd all be most welcome (especially the blue noses lol). alf

For those interested

http://www.liverpool08.com/
http://www.accliverpool.com/
http://www.liverpoolpsda.co.uk/

Apparently there are 2 or 3 Face Book groups also campaigning now, on the general poor service.

The Steam Racket is almost unique in that it has a complete monoply on sea travel to and from the IOM and that it is a business run for stockholder profit. While at the same time for the Manx people it is an essential service

These two circumstances are incompatable

While the monoply remains in place either the Steam Packet is a for profit business OR it must be a "service" it cannot and should not remain both.

Two ways to resolve this either the Manx government nationalise it or allow fair competition.


Easy really.

Ah, but don't forget the "cash in back pockets" syndrome, Cargo.

Rules out both your alternatives, doesn't it :?: :?:

Larry, are you simply being provocative?
Or do you have facts?
To be fair, it IS the only explanation, isnt it?

Evidence :?:

Moi?? :?:

Course not, Mike :!:

Ask Helen or Cargo - I'm one of nature's greatest cynics, and I'm sometimes right :!:

:wink: