Promenade - Megathread

[Barlow]

9 minutes ago, Non-Believer said:

Welcome to civil servant pace of work and assessment. IIRC, one Dan Davies had IoM Govt headcount reduction as part of his remit within Govt during this administration? Yet it's increased by 400+.

Makes one wonder what it would have been if he hadn't been reducing it.... 😉

Stopped the gravy train just long enough to hop on it.

[Max Power]

14 minutes ago, Andy Onchan said:

It's simple, you just don't replace the person who was doing the job before as it becomes a non-job. If the cost of automation was greater than the cost of employing someone then I'd agree. 

 

6 minutes ago, Non-Believer said:

Car manufacturers don't seem to see it that way though?

Actually, it is probably a borderline cost benefit to automate in the PS, particularly if the IoM has to have a bespoke system made for it? Government's tend to want maximum employment rather than automation, people have to work somewhere. Car manufacturers don't want to have to depend upon employees, machines can work continuously.

[Non-Believer]

10 minutes ago, Max Power said:

 

Actually, it is probably a borderline cost benefit to automate in the PS, particularly if the IoM has to have a bespoke system made for it? Government's tend to want maximum employment rather than automation, people have to work somewhere. Car manufacturers don't want to have to depend upon employees, machines can work continuously.

But the point is that the private sector car industry needs to get the work done to remain competitive.

Whereas we seem to be expected to put up with all manner of inefficiencies and inconvenience (not to mention huge costs and cock ups) simply in the name of, "keeping people employed" (and I personally happen to believe that it's all to do with population, the economy and FERSA).

Surely there comes a point where it's more about the employment than actually doing the administration that society needs to keep going? (and I also happen to believe that the IoM passed that point some time ago?).

[Banker]

18 minutes ago, AlanShimmin said:

Yes, privatise the process. Jobs that don't need to be done by government should be provided by the private sector. Buses for example.

Problem with buses is that they lose £4ms annually so a private operator would either need a subsidy or all the loss making routes eg rural areas, off peak times would be axed.

[ellanvannin2010]

11 minutes ago, Banker said:

Problem with buses is that they lose £4ms annually so a private operator would either need a subsidy or all the loss making routes eg rural areas, off peak times would be axed.

But your favourite country Jersey contracts it’s bus  services out to a private operator.

A private operator would not need a director of transport amongst many other posts  for what is essentially a small depot of under 100 buses

[monasqueen]

3 minutes ago, ellanvannin2010 said:

A private operator would not need a director of transport amongst many other posts  for what is essentially a small depot of under 100 buses

Surely there are more than 100 buses here now - the bus garage parking areas always seem to be overflowing, and a lot of the mini buses are parked at schools.

[ellanvannin2010]

8 minutes ago, monasqueen said:

Surely there are more than 100 buses here now - the bus garage parking areas always seem to be overflowing, and a lot of the mini buses are parked at schools.

Apart from the few minibuses  that are used on stage carriage service, the rest are just expensive taxis.

There are around 70 proper buses in the fleet.

Still only a small operation.

Edited August 27, 2021 by ellanvannin2010

[Max Power]

29 minutes ago, Non-Believer said:

But the point is that the private sector car industry needs to get the work done to remain competitive.

Whereas we seem to be expected to put up with all manner of inefficiencies and inconvenience (not to mention huge costs and cock ups) simply in the name of, "keeping people employed" (and I personally happen to believe that it's all to do with population, the economy and FERSA).

Surely there comes a point where it's more about the employment than actually doing the administration that society needs to keep going? (and I also happen to believe that the IoM passed that point some time ago?).

The PS has no competitors, and doesn't seem to see its clients as customers. They don't react to customer demand, it's all about the process rather than the service. I can see both sides of this argument, it's going to become more and more important as AI takes away more and more jobs in both the private and public sectors. Should we resist the changes or embrace them?

[Amadeus]

Some pics from the new sections and changes along the whole stretch. 
 

 

[Non-Believer]

34 minutes ago, Max Power said:

The PS has no competitors, and doesn't seem to see its clients as customers. They don't react to customer demand, it's all about the process rather than the service.

As was spelled out by the Beaman's DOI report alone.

Even without going down the privatisation route, there are huge areas where IoM Govt could be leaner and more efficient with the knock-on to taxes and charges to the general public and the private sector.

Personally, I don't think that's the priority though as in the short term it would endanger the Island's population number.

[Banker]

1 hour ago, ellanvannin2010 said:

But your favourite country Jersey contracts it’s bus  services out to a private operator.

A private operator would not need a director of transport amongst many other posts  for what is essentially a small depot of under 100 buses

Obviously you haven’t a clue, Jersey is a lot smaller island, has a lot more residents & visitors so going to be a lot easier to operate at a profit.

No one is against privatization but no sane private operator will take on without a subsidy or the axing of most routes which would be politically & socially unacceptable. Obviously it needs to be run more efficiently.

if it’s so easy to run privately why don’t you put your wallet on table & put a bid in rather than opening big mouth?

Edited August 27, 2021 by Banker

[Andy Onchan]

39 minutes ago, Max Power said:

The PS has no competitors, and doesn't seem to see its clients as customers. They don't react to customer demand, it's all about the process rather than the service. I can see both sides of this argument, it's going to become more and more important as AI takes away more and more jobs in both the private and public sectors. Should we resist the changes or embrace them?

Some interesting numbers here, Max: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/trend-deck-2021-demographics/trend-deck-2021-demographics

Section 2, in particular.

 

[Non-Believer]

3 minutes ago, Amadeus said:

Some pics from the new sections and changes along the whole stretch. 
 

 

What part of the roundabout is the red car observing? 😂

And how long are those white lines on the roundabout going to last, given that they already seem to be being marked and scrubbed by tyres?

[Andy Onchan]

4 minutes ago, Non-Believer said:

What part of the roundabout is the red car observing? 😂

And how long are those white lines on the roundabout going to last, given that they already seem to be being marked and scrubbed by tyres?

https://www.manxforums.com/forums/index.php?/topic/64379-promenade-megathread/&do=findComment&comment=1545414

[Numbnuts]

2 minutes ago, Non-Believer said:

What part of the roundabout is the red car observing? 😂

And how long are those white lines on the roundabout going to last, given that they already seem to be being marked and scrubbed by tyres?

Just been through and 'round' the big spaces called various names. The one at the bottom of Broadway is a complete mess already as you state and where the main traffic goes its clearly not going to last anytime at all . Between rubber from tires , excess tarmac and the likes it looks terrible.  No problems going through as thats all you can do as lighter 'cream' lines bear no resemblance to direction or guidance. Also the tarmac leading up to the shared space on brodway is also very poorly finished and clearly no level of pride was involved. Also the crossings are in dubious places and too near the junctions . Not good tbh .