The absence of an essential member of crew has forced a total of 6 FastCat sailings today (Sunday).
The 20:52, 22:15 and 23:10 from Ryde and the 20:20, 21:45 and 22:45 from Portsmouth Harbour.
Purchased tickets will be accepted on the Fishbourne – Portsmouth vehicle ferry service.
A shuttle bus will be running between Ryde and Fishbourne to transfer passengers.
UPDATE @ 17:00 – Last minute staff cover has been found.
Sailings will return to timetable.
The second week in a row these late-night sailings have been affected. Whats is Bob doing about the lack of this essential service?
Nothing.
Because despite his lame promises, there is nothing he can to to affect the operation of a private enterprise.
That ship sailed (pun intended) when the Tories sold off British Rail and Sealink.
Remind me, what party does Seely represent?
Nothing to do with Bob. It’s all down to Wightlink taking us all for mugs
To be honest, is it worth a comment anymore. “Sausage”is to busy elsewhere.
He is too busy being on GB news
Sounds as though WL need to employ more staff – they can surely afford it!
isn’t it time Wightlink disclosed what staff member is missing….
Aaaand who is going to compel them to do that, then?
Answer: Nobody. Because nobody has the authority to require it of them.
Why is there no back up crew available
Wightlink the worlds worst ferry company .. every days the same .. the only good thing is the share holders suffer as well .. hopeless service non provider ..
No surprises there, its the weekend
How can you run such a large and essential service without having a contingency plan in place to deal with such “unexpected” absences?
The only thing that is ‘Essential’ about the service that Wightlink (and Red Funnel) provides, is that it makes as much profit as possible..
This ongoing excuse by Wightlink seriously needs sorting. Disgusting so called service!
Remember the good old days when they blamed covid. No excuse now is there.
The Captain overslept again ?
Honestly, you people. Wake up and smell the coffee.
All three ferry operators are private enterprises. As long as they adhere to the rules that all companies are required to obey, and those relating to marine safety, they can do whatever they like and there is nothing anyone can do about it.
You can stamp your little feet all you like, but nobody, not Seely, not the Council, not whatever deity you believe in, can do a thing about it.
If you don’t like the way the ferries are run, make one last trip on one. With a loaded removals truck.
Because that’s the only way you can avoid their stranglehold.
Get used to it.
profit before service.
Of course it’s “profit before service”. That’s the reason private enterprises exist. To make money.
If they they have an effective duopoly, and neither part is willing to rock the boat (pun intended) and the best profit margin can be achieved by shafting their customers, then that is what they will do.
The only way to fix this is to have a not-for-profit competitor and, given the lack of anywhere else to dock, that isn’t going to happen.
Bottom line. Unless a fixed link happens (unlikely due to opposition) the ferry companies will continue as they are now. Get used to it.
Public buyout is also an option. Just the opposite of privatisation. But plenty of people moan so much about cost of public transport… of course until it’s a ferry that ferries their cars around, then suddenly they’re convinced it’s essential ;)))