The former Deputy Governor of the Bank of England and former Chairman of the BBC, Sir David Clementi, has said that any potential buyer of Red Funnel should engage with Islanders and declare whether they accept the Islanders’ Charter.
Sir David, who has had a home on the Isle of Wight for more than 25 years, has spoken out in favour of the Charter, which outlines what Isle of Wight residents expect when it comes to the service and accountability provided by cross-Solent ferry operators.
The Charter, which aims to put across a unified stance, was published back in December and spearheaded by Joe Robertson MP and Richard Quigley MP, as well as the Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, Councillor Phil Jordan. It outlines the best way forward in terms of transparency, reliability, fair pricing, service standards and future investment.
In an open letter to the press, the British business executive has flagged up the lack of response or commitment from Red Funnel to date in respect of the Charter.
Sir David has said:
“As we know, the Red Funnel level of service between the mainland and the Island has deteriorated over the last few years, and investment in a new fleet is needed.
“If, as is heavily rumoured, Red Funnel is talking to a new financial buyer, it is important that any such buyer engages with those who live on the Island, making clear whether they accept the expectations set out in the Charter.
“To ignore the Charter, as Red Funnel seems to have done, would suggest that they care little what customers think. Any possible buyer has a chance to correct that impression.
Article continues below this advertisement “If a buyer has a business instinct, and not just a financier’s concern with financial returns, it would surely want to engage and to learn what the customers and their elected representatives think”.
In response, Fran Collins, CEO at Red Funnel, has said:
“We take our responsibilities as a lifeline provider to the Isle of Wight extremely seriously and are committed to working collaboratively and openly with our customers, stakeholders and island representatives. However, we are disappointed that Red Funnel was neither consulted with, nor engaged with at any point during the development or release of the Island Charter, and nor have we had any direct contact regarding it since its publication was brought to our attention via the media.
“We are committed to continuing to support the Isle of Wight for the future, and remain open to discussing the Charter, both directly or via the Transport Infrastructure Board.”
All we want is cheaper fares and a reliable service.
Come on, wake up, it’s a private company out to make a profit, end of.
Yes, it’s inconvenient to get to your holiday home, but they, the new “financial buyer” is exactly that, a business opportunity to squeeze more profit at the expense of the customers who have little choice.
Bang on, and precisely why it needs to be regulated or better still renationalised.
Spot on
I and many other’s have stopped using deadfunnel yes a little inconvenient..but wightlink just that bit better..
Hot News! DfL complains bout ferry prices!
Has anyone heard of the “Islanders’ Charter”? Does it carry any weight (spoiler alert: no).
The one thing we can be sure of – and of which professional banker Sir David seems unaware – is that any new ownership will come with yet more debt = interest costs.
I wonder how that will be paid for?
Us Northerners don’t like expensive Ferry prices
either.
Am I correct in saying you are a Numpty yocal
who don’t travel off the island hence not caring
about ferry prices
Lol
I think it’s laughable that anyone could still think someone will buy it.
Thank you Sir David,
The more of us that apply pressure to this unforgivable situation the better, especially those of us who have international experience, and realise that most of the rest of the civilised world would not tolerate these ferries.
The ferry companies need to be either nationalised and run as a public service rather than a profit driven business or they should at least be strictly regulated. They have already demonstrated beyond all doubt that self-regulation does not work as they cannot be trusted.