Horse Tram Costs

Summary

The Department of Infrastructure responded to a request for a cost breakdown regarding the £700 loss incurred by the Horse Tram service during the 2019 TT period, disclosing a supplemental costing sheet and explaining operational constraints.

Key Facts

• The Horse Tram service was operated during TT 2019 primarily to serve visitors despite promenade disruption.
• Operations were limited to off-peak times between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM to avoid congestion.
• Standing costs such as horse husbandry, feed, and maintenance were excluded from the submitted information.
• Revenue from 'on the day' ticket sales in 2018 TT was approximately £10,000 plus prepaid cards.
• The service was run as a commitment to tour operators rather than primarily for revenue generation.

Data Disclosed

• £700
• 2019-06-17
• 2019-07-15
• TT 2019
• 10.00 AM
• 4.00 PM
• £10,000.00
• 2018
• 857465

Original Request

A breakdown of costs for TT period which lead to the public declared loss of £700

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

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

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

Our ref: 857465 15 July 2019

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 17 June 2019 and which states:

"A breakdown of costs for TT period which lead to the public declared loss of £700"

We enclose a costing sheet as supplemental information to our response. We planned to operate a shortened journey of the Douglas Borough Horse Tram service during the TT 2019 period, despite significant Promenade disruption. This was not primarily a decision about achieving additional revenue, rather offering our service to visitors.
The trams were run primarily for the influx of TT visitors. The inclement weather forecast and related disruption to racing lead to a likely increased need for alternative activities. In addition we have commitments to tour operators having the option for their guests to travel by our horse tram as a unique part of their holiday programme.
Under normal circumstances and operations it should be noted that the majority of cruise and tour customers are sold prepaid cards at a premium rate.
The trams ran only between promenade works and at off peak times to avoid further congestion. Operating times were between 10.00 AM and 4.00 PM causing us additional revenue constraints. Irrespective of operation and potential revenue loss, costs i.e. horse husbandry, feed, maintenance and non-operational crew costs are not included in information submitted as these are standing costs.

Had the usual timetable schedule been run and along the full length of the track it is reasonable to assume revenue for ‘on the day’ ticket sales would not be dissimilar to 2018 TT practice and race weeks which was circa £10,000.00 plus prepaid cards.

Please quote the reference number 857465 in any future communications.

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Yours sincerely

FOI Response Team