Costs of maintenance of the MER track and infrastructure

Summary

The request sought details on Manx Electric Railway (MER) track and infrastructure spending, future allocations, and ticket revenue. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed historical expenditure and revenue figures but noted that 2023/24 budget allocations had not yet been determined.

Key Facts

• Spending on laying new track increased from £409,139 in 2016/17 to £1,795,081 in 2018/19.
• Infrastructure spending for the MER ranged between £143,799 and £225,836 over the last three years.
• The estimated spend for the 2020/21 track renewals programme is £1,669,305.
• Direct revenue from MER ticket sales was £566,545 in 2018/19 and £517,479 in 2019/20.
• Income from combined rail explorer tickets was £1,022,939 in 2018/19 and £875,915 in 2019/20.

Data Disclosed

• 409,139
• 1,185,018
• 1,795,081
• 143,799
• 225,836
• 200,845
• 1,669,305
• 566,545
• 517,479
• 1,022,939
• 875,915
• 2016/17
• 2017/18
• 2018/19
• 2019/20
• 2020/21
• 2023/24
• 60 miles
• 2 miles per annum

Original Request

how much has been spent on laying new track over the last three years? How much has been spent in the last three years on the Infrastructure relating again to the MER. How much money has been allocated for 2020 and 2023 for new track and infrastructure again for the MER. How much revenue was received by the MER from ticket sales for 2018 and 2019

Data Tables (4)

Full Response Text

Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF

Contact: FOI Response Team/AC/HLB/MF Telephone: (01624) 686785 Email: dpo-doi@gov.im

Our ref: 1217381 8 April 2020

Dear ###

We write further to your our recent telephone conversation and your request which was received on 9 March 2020 and which states (sic) (numbered for ease of reference):

"1. how much has been spent on laying new track over the last three years? 2. How much has been spent in the last three years on the Infrastructure relating again to the MER. 3. How much money has been allocated for 2020 and 2023 for new track and infrastructure again for the MER. 4. How much revenue was received by the MER from ticket sales for 2018 and 2019" 1. How much has been spent on laying new track over the last three years? Year £ 2016/17 409,139 2017/18 1,185,018 2018/19 1,795,081 2. How much has been spent in the last three years on the Infrastructure relating again to the MER Year £ 2016/17 143,799 2017/18 225,836 2018/19 200,845

3. 2020/21 estimated spend on the MER track renewals programme is currently £1,669,305

2023/24 figures have not yet been determined. Our strategic programme includes a number of planned projects spread over a 5 year period; however the work specified in each period will depend on detailed cost estimates and dynamic asset management assessments which are not available this far in advance. We have approximately 60 miles of railway track and need to renew approximately 2 miles per annum to maintain the assets. 4. The direct revenue from MER ticket sales (including SMR sales) is: Year £ 2018/19 566,545 2019/20 517,479 In addition the income from combined rail explorer tickets (which are a combination of explorer and annual rail residents passes) was: Year £ 2018/19 1,022,939 2019/20 875,915 Please quote the reference number 1217381 in any future communications.

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Yours sincerely

FOI Response Team