Isle of Man argues on bendy buses: 'Let's not become a laughing stock like in Malta'

A familiar argument is raging in the Isle of Man - whether or not to have bendy buses. And Malta is part of it, with officials being urged to oppose the vehicles and not become a laughing stock like Malta. ‘Let’s not become a laughing stock like in Malta where over-sized buses have been seen trying to manoeuvre themselves along the narrow streets of its historic towns with all the grace of a rhinoceros stuck in a wendy house,’ John Houghton, a Member of the House of Keys (the parliament of the Isle of Man) was reported saying. He was seeking support for the the creation of a select committee to investigate whether the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure took appropriate steps in relation to feasibility and consultation in introducing them. Isle of Man Today reported that Mr Houghton questioned bendy buses’ safety record, adding: ‘Children should not be standing in this day and age and we should certainly not be encouraging this type of travel on the island’s roads.’ DCCL Minister Graham Cregeen MHK said the select committee was unnecessary as a trial was due to take place – with two bendy buses arriving ‘imminently’ – to test whether the benefits of introducing eight...