Red Funnel has confirmed that it won’t be adjusting its published vehicle ferry timetable before November.
As a result of the pandemic, the cross-Solent operator has been running a different timetable to normal. With restrictions easing around the country, the number of sailings being operated has increased although a 2-boat service is currently in operation whilst Red Falcon has a new engine crankshaft installed.
However, Red Funnel has confirmed that they won’t be adding any more sailings in the summer months for what is anticipated to be one of the busiest tourist seasons on the Isle of Wight in years.
The 2021 timetable sees only a few minor changes to pre-pandemic times, but notably the 23:55 sailing from East Cowes has been pulled, as has the 22:30 from Southampton. The timetable will run 7 days a week though, with no changes for Sundays as previously.
Red Funnel says they are confident that the published timetable meets capacity requirements and offers good choice and availability for departure times, especially during peak periods.
Fran Collins, CEO of Red Funnel, commented:
“We appreciate our customers want as much information as possible to be able to plan their future travel, especially as the nation emerges carefully from lockdown, and we want to provide as much clarity as possible on our services and share our outlook as best we can.
“We’re delighted that we’ve been able to increase our timetable in line with demand, but we continue to monitor requirements very closely. We endeavour to run a timetable that meets the needs of the vast majority of our customers, but we regret that in some cases, our timetables may not meet the preference of some travellers. For this we’re very sorry and I encourage anyone in this situation to get in touch and share their experience and feedback with us.”
Article continues below this advertisement
The company says it is committed to monitoring demand for evening Red Jet services, with a view to extend the current timetable later into the evening.
I have never been in favour of a fixed link but if it is a choice between that and an incompetent and unreliable ferry company I will vote in favour of a fixed link in future. The Island needs to free itself from the shackles of these ferry companies
And be buried by people from Portsmouth and Southampton using the Island as a dormitory? No thanks, keep the ferry. If you don’t like living on an island, you can always leave.
What is the point of promoting the Island as a holiday destination if you cannot get onto it because the ferry company have reduced its sailings, what about day trippers who want to come here to spend their money and boost our economy, what about Islanders who want to get off the Island for a holiday or a day trip. It has nothing to do with not wanting to live on an Island it is about sustainability and rebuilding our economy. Why reduce the number of sailing in a year when the Island will most probably see the most number of visitors but hey ho they can do what they like as there is no alternative means of transport.
I hope this doesn’t mean that at busy times these ferries will be packed to the gunnels, and thereby risking the spread of you know what.
Is there some sort of virus going round then? Give over