More than 13,500 motorcycles are booked to travel to the 2015 Isle of Man TT with the Steam Packet Company.

The figure represents an increase of more than 10% in the number of bookings compared with this time last year.

The increase has been made possible by the Steam Packet Company’s investment in a removable mezzanine deck on fast craft Manannan. This has created additional space for motorcycles during the TT and Festival of Motorcycling periods, allowing fans who have previously travelled as foot passengers the chance to bring their bikes.

Crucially, MV Arrow providing freight services during the TT has allowed more space on Ben-my-Chree for vehicles. The charter of P&O Express has also once again added additional passenger capacity for the event.

Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said:

‘The fact that bookings for the TT are up on this time last year shows the ongoing popularity of the event and the demand from visitors to experience it for themselves.

‘We constantly review our services and identified there was a clear demand for extra space for motorcycles. We have invested heavily in the removable mezzanine deck to create this space, and that has allowed us to ensure more people can bring their bikes this year.

‘In addition, there has been significant investment in the charter of P&O Express, to supplement our passenger services, and MV Arrow, which will take over the  Ben-my-Chree’s freight duties during the TT so there is more room for fans.’

He added:

‘Our team works around the clock during the TT bringing fans to the event, and based on the current bookings we’re looking forward to another really busy year.’

Is it me ? But it seems that every year there seems to have been the same statement made at this time of year that the numbers are up on last year by 10% ?? Or is it that my memory has finely bin and gone departed ??

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I assume that the figures they are giving is for the total over practise and race week?
I guess the difference this year on the Manannan will be the extra mez level.
However for a casual observation, I have been coming over on the Friday ( practice week) night boat from Liverpool for a number of years now. If you went back about 3 years, on that sailing, the majority of the lower car deck was 99% motorbikes, with the odd van, tucked into the odd space. In the last 2 years at least, the whole centre section of the lower deck had no bikes, and was filled with cars and vans, so my observation was there has been less bikes on what is historically the busiest day for trafic going to the Island.

Theres extra boats out of Larne this year we usually go from Belfast on the Mannanan but Larne this year on the P&0 Express

(16-03-2015, 09:29 PM)Steady the Edward Wrote: Is it me ? But it seems that every year there seems to have been the same statement made at this time of year that the numbers  are up on last year by 10% ?? Or is it that my memory has finely bin and gone departed ??


Every year since 2005 they have said up by 10%, so if there were 35000 in 2005 this year there will be 70,000, hmmmmmm.
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There'd actually be 90000 from 2005 with a 10 per cent increase year on year spannerman haha sorry couldn't resist

Can't say I have actually looked at the stats , I don't doubt it's just my memory playing up


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(17-03-2015, 09:11 AM)jimmy182 Wrote: There'd actually be 90000 from 2005 with a 10 per cent increase year on year spannerman haha sorry couldn't resist

 lol, your right jim, smacked legs, i'll go and sit in the corner,  90,000 where will everyone sleep, thank god for not registered home stays.

Let's hope the new mezz deck works flawlessly then lol

Just before the manannan sets sail they show a promo and safety video as we all know they also mention there is enough seats for everybody I don't think so this time round somehow!