Steam Packet enjoy best TT period since 2007
25th June, 2014
Following the Isle of Man TT 2014 races, the Steam Packet Co announced that motorcycle arrival figures showed an increase of 7.5% visiting the island, which made it the busiest TT festival since the Centenary TT in 2007.Statistics from the Steam Packet reveal it carried 12,050 motorbikes and 36,800 passengers to the Isle of Man between May 21st and June 6th.
Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: 'This marks yet another year of growth for the TT and the figures are evidence of the TT's continued attraction for motorcycling race fans. The main statistic to consider is the number of bikes carried, which are up by 7.5% on last year, as passenger figures include all inbound numbers, including residents returning home.'
Ahead of the famous race held over a fortnight, the ferry operator's main vessel, ro-pax Ben-My-Chree on the Douglas-Heysham route was fresh in service from following a £1.6m refurbishment. Fast-craft, Manannan was also kept busy on the Liverpool route.
The ro-ro freighter Arrow on long term charter to the Steam Packet provided additional capacity in tandem with Ben-My-Chree on the principle route to Heysham.
Demand for TT2015 is already substantially higher than at this time last year. When bookings for next year opened on May 26th, the number of bookings made in the first 10 hours – 2,500 – was up 41% on last year.