The boss of Wightlink has promised improvements on the Yarmouth-Lymington car ferry route, whilst admitting that the service has been poor recently as a result of 3 captains leaving the company.
Back in November, Yarmouth Town Council (YTC) complained problems with the Lymington to West Wight crossing had had a negative impact on the town. Those complaints came about as during the Autumn, the service was disrupted by cancelled crossings and gaps in the timetables, due to a lack of crucial staff.
On Tuesday, Wightlink’s chief executive, Keith Greenfield, met with Yarmouth Town Council and admitted performance had been poor between August and November. He said the Yarmouth to Lymington route had operated at a 95% reliability rate, which was ‘far too many cancellations’ compared to the standard it sets itself, of at least 99.5%.
Mr Greenfield apologised but said crews had ‘bust a gut’ to minimise the number of cancellations, but this had not been helped by an unprecedented 3 of 7 ships’ captains leaving the company, which the ferry boss said he had never seen before during his time at Wightlink. They have to be specially trained for each route and hold the highest possible qualifications, so it took up to 8 weeks to replace them.
In future, more captains will be trained to cover both vehicle crossing routes, Mr Greenfield has claimed:
“The single issue meant we failed to provide a service you all expect and deserve. I am glad to say we are back to where we should be and I cannot see any reason that should change.”
The meeting heard councillors claim it felt like Wightlink had run down its service, decreasing sailings and bringing forward the last sailing of the day. They said it felt like the company was driving passengers away.
Mr Greenfield refuted the claims, saying he wants the biggest and best possible service for Yarmouth. He said:
“It is a commercial service, the only income we have is ticket revenue and we have to gauge the size of the service to the demand that we think is there”.
wel that’s a load of rubbish more were cancelled yesterday any excuse this company is crap ships dirty on one trip I saw a passenger allow her dog to crap on the floor and just got up moved I pointed this out to a member of staff who said I’m not cleaning it up it’s not my job we will have to get a cleaner on board when we get to lymington and of course it got walked in all over the carpet pets should be left in the car for a short crossing
or is it you talking IOW crap
The dog messing on floor is not for once Wightlinks fault it’s the owner of the dog who should of cleared it up instantly , failing to do so she should be heavily fined etc etc disgusting dog owner .
As quoted, “It is a commercial service, the only income we have is ticket revenue and we have to gauge the size of the service to the demand that we think is there”.
Therein lies the problem as they make up excuses to cancel sailings if the ticket sales aren’t high enough.
No mention either that they have changed their booking terms and now on their “cheaper” option where you used to be able to make changes online for no charge, it is now £15…..
Before the government finally decide to build a tunnel, we need PUBLIC FERRIES like many other Islands in England. Standard prices year round and a proper timetable, like busses have, to transport people back and forth. We are not cargo, we are human beings…
Any chance you can let us know whereabouts are these other English islands that have PUBLIC FERRIES?
Pisses me off, they say not enough customers so we are not sailing… imagine you waiting an extra hour or two for a bus for similar reason ??? The Government need to step in and take over… make all ferries PUBLIC Service.. and to keep a strict timetable with standard prices all year round.. why should an Island commuter have to pay extra in the summer to get to work on mainland?? Bosses are not going to give commuters an extra £2000 each year + just to get to work.. !!
socialists love spending others money and state control – pathetic.
So what about the goodwill gesture for the poor service then? Nothing…that’s a surprise. The ferries are so well protected from providing compensation, surprised the Yarmouth council didn’t chew on that bone.
Just Yarmouth Council’s PR exercise, and still toothless to do anything, Still shocked Greenfield bothered to show up .. I’m sure he was shaking in his boots And did he use Red Funnel to get here ? All expenses paid .. ?