You may remember, after Covid, WUG (Now STUG) was formed because the last catamarans stopped around 8pm.

We petitioned, demonstrated and ultimately won the ability to travel back from Portsmouth until 10:45pm.

This is now in jeopardy as Wightlink propose changing the last crossing to 10.30pm.

This makes:

• returning after a show without missing the ending impossible
• the Victoria train which arrives at 22.41 will not meet the cat (this also stops at Gatwick)

We are fighting this change as the only reason we have been given is that staff can finish earlier.

We want and need the catamaran to leave at 11pm. If it did so, we could have connections for the:

• Cardiff, Victoria and Waterloo trains.

Given this change (proposed for January) the train at Ryde will now face a 25 minute wait.

Imagine, January, late evening, cold, dark, inclement weather, without adequate shelter and a long wait to get on the train.

Wightlink also propose changing the midnight car ferry to 11.45pm.

Next is the hoverbus charge, the flexisaver tickets used to include a free transfer on the bus to the station. This, seemingly, has been withdrawn and the cost is £2.10 each way. We have also heard that social workers do not qualify for discounted travel, which is a problem as there is a national shortage of this profession and recruitment is, undoubtedly harder for the island.

Yesterday, my foster daughter bought a ticket, one way, with a blue card and it was around £21. If she was to catch the bus this would be £23:10.An astronomical cost for a young person with relatively low pay.

STUG will be expressing concern to the relevant companies and bringing this up at the Cross Solent Meetings with the companies, the D of T and the IOW council. We also have a separate meeting with Joe Robertson.

Whilst waiting for these meetings, which have been postponed twice and pushed into Jan and Feb next year, we have been taking a wait and see approach - only to see further deterioration of our services. We are not confident that they will result in the improvements we so desperately need. We also fear that the outcome will be ‘wait for the devolved powers of a regional mayor’. A kicking into the long grass?

We are finalising a survey. This is essential in gathering your views to present to the Cross Solent group. Please look out for it.

If ever there was a need for a grassroots campaign group NOW is the time. Prices, frequency and timing, reliability, punctuality, cancellations are all issues.

The STUG (and IWBRUG* who we work with) feel we need to ramp up our presence and make our voices heard.

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Richmond House, Ryde, Isle of Wight PO33 1JD
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