Red Funnel has been shortlisted for ‘Ferry Operator of the Year’ at the prestigious National Transport Awards 2026, following recognition of its role in helping safeguard the future of the Daisy Ring Bus and supporting Isle of Wight residents travelling to the mainland for cancer treatment.
The shortlisting recognises Red Funnel’s role in helping safeguard the future of the Daisy Ring Bus, a community transport service that supports Isle of Wight residents travelling to the mainland for cancer treatment.
In summer 2025 it was announced that the service would be discontinued, meaning Islanders travelling to the mainland for vital cancer treatment would lose the final link in their journey to life-saving care.
Recognising the impact this would have, Red Funnel immediately got behind a community-led effort to re-establish the service, demonstrating that its role as a lifeline service extends far beyond the ferry crossing and into the communities it serves.
As well as supporting efforts to create a Community Interest Company (CIC), Red Funnel continues to work closely with Daisy Ring Bus, including provision of free parking at its Southampton terminal and free travel to help secure the service’s long-term future.
Red Funnel provides complimentary ferry travel for volunteer drivers, parking at its Southampton terminal, and works to ensure colleagues understand customer needs to offer support with discretion, care and understanding.
The company also ensures flexibility in bookings, recognising that treatment schedules can change at short notice and making sure that, at what can be a daunting time, there’s one less thing to worry about.
Red Funnel was shortlisted alongside other leading transport operators from across the UK, with winners due to be announced at the National Transport Awards ceremony in London on 1st October.
Fran Collins, Chief Executive of Red Funnel, said:
“We’re incredibly proud to have been shortlisted for Ferry Operator of the Year. This recognition reflects the dedication of colleagues across our business and the important role we play in supporting the communities we serve.
“As the Isle of Wight’s original ferry operator, we understand that our role is about much more than transporting people between the Island and the mainland. Every day we connect people with healthcare, education, employment, friends, family & loved ones, and opportunities that matter to them.
“Being recognised at a national level is a reflection of the dedication shown by colleagues across our business, and the strong partnerships we have built within our communities. We’re particularly pleased that our support of the Daisy Ring Bus formed part of the submission, as it shows that organisations which work together can make a real difference to people’s lives.”
The National Transport Awards is one of the UK’s most respected transport industry awards programmes, which celebrates excellence, innovation and customer service across the sector.
Well deserved much cheaper fares than the other
ferry operator.
Their book of tickets are much better value
than Wightlink.
Unbelievable
Doesn’t say much for others on shortlist,have they not seen the hundreds of complaints MP’s taking their “service”?to parliament for debate,The directors must have bought all the votes for this travesty to happen.