Wightlink is resuming FastCat sailings from Friday 31st July, it has been announced.
There will be an hourly round-trip service from Portsmouth between 06:15 – 20:20 on weekdays and 07:15 – 20:20 on Saturdays and Sundays.
The news comes following increased demand from foot passengers.
Keith Greenfield, Chief Executive of Wightlink, says:
“We are looking forward to re-starting our passenger service between Portsmouth Harbour and Ryde Pier Head at the end of the month.
“Although passenger numbers remain low, they are gradually rising and we believe it is the right time to bring back the service. Reintroducing FastCats will support Ryde’s economy and seasonal businesses by encouraging more day-trip visitors.”
Wightlink staff have been busy preparing the FastCats to start sailing again and are carrying out trial runs to test systems.
To stay COVID-safe, passenger numbers have been capped and capacity reduced to allow plenty of room on board each departure for social distancing. The catamarans are being cleaned to high standards and hand sanitisers are available. In line with Government regulations, customers and staff will wear face coverings in the passenger areas onboard and inside the terminals.
FastCat customers will need to pay for travel and parking by card or mobile device. They can buy tickets at the ports using ticket vending machines and online. Ticket offices will not be open initially. The Ryde Pier barrier charge will be suspended until the end of August.
Keith Greenfield adds:
“Wightlink has worked closely with the Isle of Wight Council’s Transport Infrastructure Board (including the other cross-Solent operators) to make sure the Isle of Wight received the ferry services it needed throughout the crisis. Due to increased demand, I am pleased that we are now able to announce the reopening of our Fast Cat service between Portsmouth and Ryde.
“Like many other travel businesses, Wightlink has made substantial losses this year due to Covid 19 but, as usual, we still need to spend millions of pounds on vessel and port maintenance this winter to ensure all our services are available in 2021. This is the reason we have been slowly reintroducing services only as demand grows, to avoid further losses.
“We are keeping the situation under constant review and will continue to adjust service levels in line with demand as we go through the rest of the year.”
As all cross-Solent routes will be operating from Friday 31st July, the agreement between Wightlink, Red Funnel and Hovertravel to accept foot passenger tickets on each other’s services will end. Customers should ensure they book with the operator they intend to travel with.
Council leader, Councillor Dave Stewart, and Transport Board chairman, Christopher Garnett, have said today’s announcement completed the picture of a return to service of all Island routes.
Councillor Stewart said:
“We can now look forward to the summer knowing our Island is fully open for business.
“I appreciate the challenges that have faced our ferry and hovercraft companies during the Covid-19 crisis. Like all commercial businesses, they too have had to plan their return in a financially manageable way.
“I wish to thank all those who have campaigned for the return of the Fast Cat and thank Wightlink for taking the necessary steps to start up the service once again.
“This is good news and means Island visitors and residents whether travelling by car or by foot now have the full range of choice. I know services will be limited and will be demand driven — but it is another sign of the Island being on the road to recovery.”
Mr Garnett said:
“The board is hopeful that with the new, more positive messaging about using public transport and school holidays we will see real growth in foot passenger numbers.
“A high degree of uncertainty surrounds the state of the cross-Solent market as we look to the autumn and winter with the ongoing effects of Covid-19 on travel. The board will watch developments very carefully and will need to work closely with the operators on service levels, which may need to change in line with demand.
“All operators have been heavily impacted financially and need to manage their costs carefully to protect routes and services for 2021.
“The cooperation of all the members of the board over the past five months has been first class and has now got us to the position where all the routes to the Island will be open by the end of July.”
Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely has said:
“I welcome the announced return of the FastCats between Ryde and Portsmouth. This is not before time. We must now all work together to get people back to work and open up the Island to visitors once again.
“With the restrictions eased enabling people to travel, stay overnight and use public transport, we need to encourage visitors back and make their travel and their stay here as safe and enjoyable as possible.
“Island businesses have put a great deal of effort in to making themselves compliant with public health guidance and a significant amount of work has gone in to promoting the Island as a welcoming destination for a staycation. We don’t want that to go to waste by making it difficult for visitors to cross the Solent.
“Many tourism-dependent businesses in the East Wight, particularly those in Ryde, Sandown and Shanklin need day trippers to boost their income. The resumption of the FastCat connection will help achieve this.”
At last I will be able to see my family….. first time since December
They are a bunch of thieves on all of their routes because they have a monopoly. It’s time for real change on cross solent services, this lot treat everyone like slaves instead of paying customers.
To anyone moaning “No, the virus isn’t over yet reeee!!”
Why don’t you move to China?
They’ve gotten over coronavirus months ago…
Check your facts there are cases of it springing up not just in China again but all over the world.
Lol as if, China had it contained ages ago you fool
we should have just carried on life as normal but no, can’t be having that because Brexit and the US elections.
Project fear under a different name…
So pleased. Hopefully soon will be able to take my grandchildren for a day in Ryde.
Here they come, one and all.
I do hope they do not bring the virus with them ! ! ! ! !
How are they going to social distance them on the train from Ryde Pier?
Fixed link please solentfreedomtunnel.co.uk
A fixed link would be easier to shut down and police for sure.
you lost the election man, get over yourself
When the winter comes these pirates will cut that service to the bone mark my words, it will be commuter crossings and a couple in between, they will cite they need to cut back due to the terrible losses they have incurred…forgetting the millions they have sponged off the government even tho they havnt even had a service running and the astronomical fares they are charging on the car ferry, they are truly shocking
About time. Should never have been stopped.
Course it should have or are you one of those denialists….
As capacity will be restricted do passengers have to book. I,m thinking of train passengers arriving and finding there is no room on th cat?