profile

Better Services For Wightlink Users

Wightlink Forum 22nd Oct

Published 4 days ago • 1 min read

Many of the committee attended the Wightlink Forum on 22nd October.

Some of the things discussed:

  1. Sunset Flyer hours have been improved/extended for winter (until end of December). You can return to the island between 6pm and 9am with this ticket . The cost has been reduced to £80 return.
  2. We have had assurances that staff will be on hand to help with luggage, push chairs etc on the Fastcat. The management are acutely aware how difficult it can be, they are hoping and trying to ensure the disruption is for only a few weeks more. The work involves divers and new posts on the dock. The work is complex and expensive. There will be work done to improve the grip on the walkway and hopefully scaffolding and a cover can be constructed to make transition to the Fastcat safer, easier and dryer! Management are currently researching how those with mobility difficulties can be helped if there is a need to use the car ferry.
  3. We have been informed about the company restructuring consultations; these do not appear to be as drastic as we had been led to believe. For the moment, there are no industrial actions planned; negotiations continue. Again, we have been promised future notifications 4. The CEO, Katy Taylor, has promised to look into the timetabling for the Portsmouth fast cat; London trains (if on time) come in only 5 minutes before the Fastcat leaves. This is tight and can cause long delays. This frequently means a long wait after a long day for commuters, especially later in the day when there are less crossings.
  4. Whilst we were unsuccessful in getting a Sunset flyer for our mainland friends and family, there will be offers in the Black Friday initiative and the new booklet should have reached most people by now.

Our relationship with Wightlink is refreshingly honest and productive. This is a far cry from the days of the old CEO Keith Greenfield, who saw our group as the enemy. We continue to be a voice to get the best service we can for Wightlink users.

Our committee thank the management for listening and acting in our best interests where possible.

Richmond House, Ryde, Isle of Wight PO33 1JD
​Unsubscribe · Preferences

Better Services For Wightlink Users

The Wightlink User Group is an independent organisation advocating for improved cross-Solent ferry services that better meet the needs of commuters and travellers. We are committed to ensuring fair and equal access to transportation across the Solent.

Read more from Better Services For Wightlink Users

HOME NEWS ABOUT Dear Reader Private Equity acquisition/ownership of our ferries is responsible for the erosion/cost of our Solent transport services. This has now been well documented and is similar to the erosion/cost of many other areas of vital services, like our water companies. We are aware that the struggling Red Funnel ferry company are being eyed up for resale to yet another private equity firm, North Leaf Capital. No doubt this acquisition is seemingly seen as a lucrative earner for...

3 months ago • 2 min read

HOME NEWS ABOUT We have some wins from Wightlink…here they are: 35% codes for friends and family, used over the summer, book before 15 July..for those with 10 multilink passes. (Those with 20,40 and 60 were already entitled to these codes). Extended out of office hours contact coming soon. Mainland dental appointments and some agreements in place with private health providers for discounted crossing (travelling from island) now included in the NHS discounted travel scheme (max £70 return car...

4 months ago • 1 min read

HOME NEWS ABOUT WUG is now STUG Dear Supporters As we have expanded to include Red Funnel (and Hovertravel when necessary) in our efforts for a fairer ferry service, we have changed our name to Solent Transport User Group (STUG). We have realised some good wins today from Wightlink. We will announce the details at our Ferry Update meeting on the 27 June at Riverside, Newport, between 5-6.30pm. As you know, we have Richard Quigley, Joe Robertson, Phil Jordan and Sir Paul Kenny joining us to...

4 months ago • 1 min read