Red Funnel is advising of early morning cancellations on its vehicle ferry service tomorrow (Saturday).
There is disruption to be expected as families come and go from the Island over Twixmas, due to what the cross-Solent operator is saying essential maintenance to public facilities onboard Red Falcon.
The 06:00 from Southampton has been cancelled as well as the 07:30 from East Cowes.
It is unknown at this time if there will be any further cancellations to Saturday’s sailings.
Red Funnel apologises for any inconvenience.
UPDATE @ 09:16 – The issue has been resolved and services are now running to a normal timetable.
“Maintenance” implies planned activity, in which case why plan it for what is likely to be one of the busiest days of the year?
Conversely, if this is actually yet another fault or crew absence, and not planned maintenance, then why not just say so. Unless they are trying to fiddle the figures with a view to falsely inflate their reliability figures, of course.
If is the case it just cast further doubt on figures that already have the credibility of an election manifesto. (I.e. pretty much none at all.)
Either option shows utter contempt for their passengers.
Unless, of course, they actually do have yet another fault and their ferries and.or equipment are just so unreliable that they are not fit for purpose.
None of those options exactly shine out as beacons of customer service.
I’d also like to know why they are asking passengers to arrive no more than 45 minutes before departure in order to “reduce congestion”.
Given that the tickets also say to arrive a minimum of 30 minutes before departure that leaves a tiny 15 minute arrival window.
How exactly does making more vehicles arrive at practically the same time instead of being spread out over the whole 90 minutes between crossings reduce congestion?
More vehicles in less time = more congestion, not less.
Apparently the toilets had packed up
What’s twixmas?
Apparently it’s Christmas – just with a pointless rebrand.
Money saving again
All maintenance is essential, this must be breakdown or damage repairs.
Anyone any idea what is the problem?
Well that’s good then..new investment working out well..
The reason there were no sailings first thing this morning?
A blocked toilet.
it would be hilarious if it wasn’t so utterly ridiculous and the ferries weren’t an essential lifeline service.
We were booked on the 07.30 Saturday and only received the email last evening about 8pm. That is a disgrace. If we had been going to fly we would have missed the flight. They daren’t give longer notice as the excuse wouldn’t wash. We bet RF had noticed that both vessels were only 50% booked so could save money by cancelling the earlier sailing. I thought they advertised a scheduled service!
6pm sailing cancelled. Arriving cowes and had to walk to the chain ferry. Im 75 with breathing problems. Why cant red funnel arrange for the red jet to dock at East Cowes
The 18.00 sailing from So’ton was pulled at the last minute so we were on the 1930. Believe at least a couple before were cancelled. Complete mess. At least the captain was very apologetic.
Oh no here we go already !!!!