UPDATED: Hovertravel have been forced to suspend their Ryde to Southsea service this morning (Wednesday) due to yet another technical issue with the troubled Island Flyer.
A fault has developed on the only operational craft in the fleet, meaning the cross-Solent operator has been left with no choice but to cancel all timetabled crossings until further notice.
The 12000TD craft is currently sat on the pad at Ryde where engineers are working to bring the Flyer back into service. Travellers say there appears to be testing of the rudder system taking place.
Disgruntled passengers are now having to trek over the railway bridge and up Ryde Pier in the hope of catching the next Wightlink catamaran to Portsmouth.
Hovertravel say the next update will be at 09:00 but it is unclear if the service will eturn to operation at 09:00.
UPDATE @ 09:44 – Hovertravel say that services will resume at 10:15 from Ryde and 10:30 from Southsea.
No explanation has been given to customers.
UPDATE @ 10:26 – Hovertravel have now announced that their service has been suspended due to adverse weather.
UPDATE @ 12:31 – Services remain suspended this lunchtime. The next update will be at 13:00.
UPDATE @ 13:32 – Hovertravel’s service has now resumed.
