Wightlink has promised to make 4 changes to its Yarmouth-Lymington ferry timetable to address anomalies that hinder those travelling by rail, but is yet to move on its Fastcat service.
Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely has been calling for improved journeys for passengers, raising concerns about the lack of connectivity between some ferry and rail services.
In a letter to Wightlink and South Western Railway (SWR) sent on 28th November, Bob asked the transport operators to work together to coordinate ferry and rail timetables to address the current points of friction hampering the Island’s connectivity. He also reiterated Islanders’ frustrations with the lack of late-night FastCat sailings.
Responding to the Island’s MP, Wightlink has now said that they have jointly investigated the timetable anomalies with South Western Railway highlighted in Mr Seely’s letter and have promised to make 4 changes.
The 1st is to address connectivity for passengers leaving London Waterloo after 16:00 hours. By changing the current 18:00 sailing to leave 5 minutes later, train passengers will be given crucial extra time to make the sailing via the connection at Brockenhurst. Wightlink has said it will also instruct Captains not to depart from Lymington until the connecting train arrives, on the basis that it was not unduly delayed.
Their 2nd commitment addresses the current tight connection time for passengers wishing to catch the 08:14 train from Lymington. By retiming the 07:30 sailing, passengers will have a bigger window – 7 minutes – in which to make this connection.
Wightlink has also agreed to push back the 08:45 departure from Yarmouth to 08:55, to better connect with the 09:44 SWR departure from Lymington. SWR has also agreed, from May 2023, to amend the 09:44 departure from Lymington Pier to 09:57 to ensure consistency with the rail schedule for the remainder of the day.
Finally, Wightlink will re-time its final 20:00 sailing from Lymington in future timetables to ensure connection with the 19:59 arrival of the Lymington train. The ferry firm has instructed its Captains not to depart from Lymington until the 19:59 train from Brockenhurst (which itself connects with Waterloo services) has arrived at Lymington Pier.
The timetable amendments will be implemented from 27th March 2023, at the beginning of the summer schedule.
Speaking about the campaign success, Bob has said:
“I am pleased that Wightlink and South Western Railway have listened to the concerns I raised on behalf of Islanders and acted on them. I thank them for that.
Article continues below this advertisement “Too many constituents have told of their frustrations at arriving on the mainland to see their connecting train disappearing, myself included, so these changes are very welcome and should help to improve connections for thousands of passengers each year.”
Addressing Mr Seely’s concerns about the lack of late-night FastCats between Portsmouth Harbour and Ryde Pier Head, Wightlink Chief Executive Keith Greenfield said:
“Wightlink wants to get to a point where FastCats run later and more frequently, and we are examining trends every week for signs that we can run extra services.
“We do hope that customers will support our later night Christmas charters to build momentum regarding any decision to reintroduce additional FastCats in 2023.”
On that issue, Bob said:
“I remain frustrated about the lack of late-night FastCat services from Portsmouth Harbour after 20:00 hours. Wightlink’s late-night Christmas charters are a good start but these far from address Islanders’ ongoing concerns.
“Islanders deserve regular, reliable services that get them home, it really isn’t too much to ask”.
Well, is this so self important Bob can get to the commons and spout gibberish about nothing as usual. Nothing to do with pleasing islanders as he has no interest in them at all. Pleasing the second homeowners and holibobs more like.
Nothing to do with as you say ‘second homeowners and holibobs’, there are actually those of us who do commute to the mainland quite regularly for work, or do you not work? and it is quite frustrating to have to wait 45 mins or more sometimes for a connecting train, sometimes it takes me more than 12 hrs to get to my destination, and that timing is from when I get my first train, so I say wind your neck in and get back in your box Mr or Mrs Digby, I’m no Tory by any means, but I welcome Mr Seely’s intervention
I do work yes, so glad u r happy being ripped off by the ferry companies. I hear the reassuring sound of cages being rattled. Awwwww.
This change pleases this islander. Thank you.
“I remain frustrated about the lack of late-night FastCat services from Portsmouth Harbour after 20:00 hours.
not too bothered about the staff having to deal with pi55heads on the late boats though. I was on one of the later charters from portsmouth the other night – it was 90% drunks from gunwharf.
why should staff be expected to deal with scummy drunks bob.
I’m not entirely sure what you want an MP to do about drunk people on a ferry boat? I would have thought it was down to Wight Link or Red Jet whether they let inebriated people on their boats.
you miss the point – wightlink stopped running the late boats because the police, councils etc didn’t care about the fact that the only people who actually use the late boats were drunks.
now these same people want wightlink staff to have to face dealing with drunks – which includes refusing them permission to travel and all the associated risks that go with it.
Well done Mr Seely! These changes are appreciated.
It incredible that it takes an MP to get involved to bring in these simple changes!
Why hasn’t Wightlink proactively done this already? Surely it’s obvious that the ferry and train timings need to link together?!
Yes, but this is Wightlink (and Red Funnel) who can’t even seem to employ enough people to run their boats never mind proactively change a timetable.
Complete BS They can agree to anything, but it’s still the same management and attitude to customers .. under staffed unreliable and extortionate fares for the service they barely provide .. go Red Funnel less problems, more reliable .. better value for money .. believe Bob and Wightlink at your peril ..
Well done Cllr Seely for getting this update.
Unfortunately Southern Rail have announced a cancellation of the total service all between Lymington and Brockenhurst until January 8th…
While you are at it Bob
Finally put a Stop to IDIOTS parking on the pavement down
Great Preston Road, Ryde
GET ISLAND ROADS / IW COUNCIL
TO FINALLY LAY DOUBLE YELLOW LINES ALONG THE ROAD SO VEHICLES CAN DRIVE SAFELY
DOWN THIS ROAD WITHOUT HAVING TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP DUE TO IDIOTS IN
THE COUNCIL HOUSES PARKING ON PAVEMENTS.
Pavements are for pedestrians not lazy b*stards!
So Bob I take it you use that Route what about the trains from London to Portsmouth. Years ago the ferry used to wait for the train and then on the isle of wight trains used to wait for the ferry. Did you only think about yourself what about the true Isle of Wight commuters. Are you going to HELP them??
Why are you only focusing on Lymington to Yarmouth route???