“The island’s public and heritage transport network is slated for millions in capital funding, with £1.6m budgeted for new buses and £3m for rail network improvements in 2026-27 spending plans.
The bus funding would deliver a “renewal of buses to maintain service reliability and reduce environmental impact”, according to the budget document.
The allocation forms part of the DoI’s bus replacement scheme.
Meanwhile, the railways and rolling stock programme is set to receive £3m, merging the former “MCW – Public Transport” scheme with the “Heritage Rail Budget” for “renewal and improvement of rail infrastructure and rolling stock to maintain service quality and operational resilience”.
The proposed funding is part of the department’s wider capital programme, which totals £27.6 million for discrete projects and nearly £25.8 million in rolling schemes planned for 2026-27.
The steam and electric railways are forecast to bring in £2.5m to offset their costs.”