Bus usage figures

Summary

A request for average passenger numbers per journey for all Bus Vannin routes for 2019, 2020, and 2023 was refused by the Department of Infrastructure. The authority determined that compiling the data would require approximately 1600 working hours, exceeding the limits of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.

Key Facts

• The request was received on 2024-10-01 and refused on 2024-10-04.
• The Department of Infrastructure is not obliged to create new information or undertake extensive compilation.
• Bus Vannin services complete approximately 909 trips per week.
• The estimated time to collate and calculate the requested data is 1600 working hours.
• The requester was advised to reformulate the request in simplified terms or contact a colleague at Bank Circus.

Data Disclosed

• 2019
• 2020
• 2023
• 909 trips per week
• 1600 working hours
• 2024-10-01
• 2024-10-04
• 4160338

Exemptions Cited

• Section 11(3)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015
• Section 11(3)(f) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015

Original Request

Please will you provide data for average passenger numbers per journey for all Bus Vannin routes (including those to the Sound and to Niarbyl) for the years 2019,2020 and 2023

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

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

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

Our ref: 4160338 4 October 2024

Dear Scott

This request is being handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2015.

We write further to your request received 1 October 2024, which states:

"Please will you provide data for average passenger numbers per journey for all Bus Vannin routes (including those to the Sound and to Niarbyl) for the years 2019,2020 and 2023"

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, fulfilling your request in this instance would necessitate the Department of Infrastructure to either create new information from existing information or undertake extensive compilation or collation of the information we hold. This is not required under Section 11(3)(b) and Section 11(3)(f) of the Act. This is due to the approximate number of trips that Bus Vannin services complete are approximately 909 per week and each trip has data which is approximately two-three minutes of reading time. With the time scope of your request spanning three calendar years, we estimate that to comply with your request it would take approximately 1600 working hours to collate and calculate the average passenger numbers. For these reasons Department of Infrastructure is not obliged to comply with your request. In line with section 15 duty to provide advice and assistance, the FOI Response team has put you in contact with one of our colleagues at Bank Circus that may be able to assist you with your enquiry in person. Should you wish to submit a fresh request in simplified terms please complete and submit the required form available on our website at www.gov.im/about-the- government/freedom-of-information/make-a-freedom-of-information-request/ Should you require any assistance to reformulate your request please do not hesitate to contact DPO-DOI@gov.im who will be able to assist.

Please quote the reference number 4160338 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.