The Isle of Wight Transport Infrastructure Board is closely monitoring cross-Solent foot passenger numbers with a view to the reinstatement of Wightlink’s Fast Cat service as soon as demand permits.
At present, foot passenger numbers are at around 15% of normal levels and rail volumes between London Waterloo and Portsmouth at just 11% — meaning the service is not financially viable.
Additionally, there is currently plenty of spare capacity – with Red Funnel’s hi-speed passenger service between Cowes and Southampton operating at 20% of available capacity – and Hovertravel’s Ryde to Southsea passenger service at 25%.
The Red Jet is currently operating a reduced service of 3 round trips each morning and evening.
Christopher Garnett, Board Chairman, says:
“We are working extremely closely with all the cross-Solent operators over the timing and financial viability of the reinstatement of services, and it is absolutely crucial this is done at the right time taking into account spare capacity, demand and viability,” said board chairman, Christopher Garnett.
“All operators are running at a loss and any service increases must take the operators’ viability into account to ensure services are protected for the long-term future.
Article continues below this advertisement “Unfortunately, just at this time the board cannot support the re-introduction of the Fast Cat service with such low passenger numbers as demand is easily being met by Hovertravel. This position is fully supported by Wightlink and Hovertravel.
“The operators are absolutely committed to supporting the Island’s recovery and are keen to add capacity as demand increases and at the right time.”
While there is no Fast Cat, foot passengers looking to travel from the east of the Island to the mainland can still use Hovertravel, which has plenty of room on its half-hourly services, with bus links to Portsmouth Harbour and Portsmouth and Southsea rail links.
The hovercraft service has been operating at 99% reliability throughout the pandemic, during which time just 1 craft has been needed for the majority of the time. It is also undertaking a number of emergency patient transfers for the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service.
Foot passengers can also use Wightlink’s Fishbourne to Portsmouth car ferry service, which is also close to Portsmouth Harbour station.
Mr Garnett added:
“The board was pleased to see the increase in demand for car ferry services with Wightlink increasing its number of sailings by eight per day and Red Funnel by 11 over the weekend period.
“Also, from Friday July 17, Wightlink is reintroducing its Yarmouth to Lymington service on a 2-hourly schedule 7 days per week. This will be increased in line with demand.”
I could have completely missed the point of this story, but why is the council taking the decision on passenger ferry crossings. I thought that all ferry transport was wholly owned by private companies with no connection with council of government, that as private companies they make decisions on profit not civic duty. Maybe the council have powers over the ferry companies that the public are unaware of, if so why do they allow such eye-watering costs or allow the ferry companies to restrict the movement of people and goods.
I understand now southwest and southern have stopped running the trains there all parked up waiting for a surge in demand …. That’s just not true…. if you provide a service you must be held to task to in the least provide a reduced service or link the esplanade rail link with Fishbourne via a free bus for the commuting islanders this should be a compromise only in the short term… What next ferries to shut down January March….. Business men run the island the authorities are there puppet’s, I have to recognise red funnel as the ferry company that serves the island and the islanders regardless ……
That’s ok throughout the day but the hover stops at 20:30 where the catamaran ran up until 23:00 us workers