New proposals to increase Floating Bridge fares and introduce a charge for under-19s have been criticised as “lunacy” by an Isle of Wight councillor.
What is being proposed?
Raising passenger and vehicle ticket prices to align with Dartmouth Lower Ferry and implementing a flat rate of £1 per crossing for under-19s between 7pm and 7am are proposed in a new council report.
The Dartmouth Lower Ferry currently charges £2.50 for an adult single, £5 for an adult day return, £7.50 for a car or small van single and £14 for a car or small van day return.
Follows questions over ticket collection
The proposal comes just weeks after staff on the Floating Bridge told Reform UK councillor Les Kirkby the ferry was ‘not run as a business’.
Councillor Kirkby used the vessel to attend Cowes Week and said ticket officers collected no money on one crossing from ’30 to 40 people’ who boarded.
Report cites financial challenge and warns of reputational risk
Strategic director of community services Simon Moon’s report says the ‘financial challenge’ is the single biggest risk to sustainable public services on the Island.
“Accordingly, the council needs to resolutely maximise the deployment of the resources that it does have (revenue, capital, property and staff) towards driving additional income/funding and cost savings to secure council services for the future,” it adds.
However, the report also warns of ‘reputational damage’ and that the ‘improved public perception’ of the Floating Bridge may be impacted by a significant fare increase.
It says congestion on Cowes, Newport and East Cowes road routes could increase as price resistance might deter motorists from making the crossing.
Under-19s charge: campaigns expected
On the proposed flat rate for under-19s, the document states that it is likely residents would launch campaigns against the plan with ‘emotional arguments’ about penalising children and youth activities voiced.
Previous plans for an under-19s charge on the Floating Bridge were thrown out in February after East Cowes ward councillor Karl Love tore into them as “devastating” and hitting those who have the least.
Love: Lunacy
Speaking yesterday afternoon (Monday, 28th September 2026), the All for Islanders representative said none of the new proposals were discussed with him and described them as “lunacy”. He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS),
“This proposal threatens the whole future of our economic sustainability for businesses on the Island.
“Workers affected, parents going to school – pushing prams, escorting their children – after-school clubs will be affected by this.
“Here we have a proposal that could substantially damage the investment potential for our Island. Who is going to want to bring a business here to the Island and invest when it’s going to cost their workforce substantial amounts of money to travel backwards and forwards across the river?”
What happens next?
The proposed changes will be considered as part of a series of savings plans coming before the economy, regeneration, transport and infrastructure committee (ERTIC), along with plans for sweeping parking fees across the Island.
Mr Moon’s report advises the proposals are agreed for recommendation to the policy, finance and resources committee, for adoption in the council’s budget setting processes.
It states that the local government climate is one where the pace at which costs rise is not matched by the speed at which income and funding increases.
ERTIC councillors will discuss the paper next Tuesday (6th October 2026).
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
