Hovertravel have announced that they won’t be running tomorrow morning and expect to provide a further update mid-day on Monday. On Friday, the service was suspended.
Those who have pre-paid ticket and Season/Travel card holders will be given a free of charge voucher to travel on Wightlink, following the reversal of last week’s decision.
Hovertravel staff will be at Portsmouth Harbour, Ryde Pier Head and at their Terminals.
Hoverbus
The Hoverbus will run between The Hard in Portsmouth and Southsea Terminal. It will be running at its normal timetable, because the council required over 50 days notice to alter it.
The following is the letter sent out by Neil Chapman, MD of Hovertravel
Firstly, to those of you affected by the recent disruptions since Friday evening, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologise.
The suspension of services follows an issue with a propeller on the Solent Express Hovercraft on 30th October. Hovertravel is working with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to ensure full safety checks are completed on its hovercraft fleet and to ensure the integrity of all our operating systems in conjunction with the MCA and we hope we will resume service shortly afterwards.
The safety of customers, crew and hovercraft is of paramount importance and Hovertravel has been working with the MCA continually throughout the weekend to ensure the capability of the craft before they are returned to service.
Hovertravel confirms that all passengers holding reservations and Season or Travel Card holders will be looked after and transferred on to alternative travel arrangements. We are deeply sorry for any inconvenience caused, and are grateful for your understanding. We are confident that, with the support of the entire Hovertravel team, and the MCA, we will complete this process as quickly as we can.
We will update the website and our terminal staff will be on duty as normal throughout the weekend to assist and update this situation. It must be stressed that we will only commence operations when Hovertravel and the MCA are entirely satisfied.
Reversal Of Decision – Cancellation Policy
Following my recent announcement last week regarding the proposed changes to our cancellation policy and the withdraw of the facility to transfer to Wightlink, I would like to advise the following:I have received a number of letters & emails expressing your discontent with this decision, and following this weekends unfortunate circumstances I feel it only fair to reverse this decision. Therefore, your transfer onto alternative crossings will continue in the event we cancel.
Claim of Appreciation Vouchers (Change of procedure)
Please note the new appreciation voucher scheme for season/travel card holders will remain. However, following a number of requests we are pleased to advise that the claim of Appreciation Vouchers may be made in advance of the expiry date, in order to enable travel on the date of expiry of your Season/Travel card.Application forms can be obtained from Southsea & Ryde terminals (shortly available online). Claims can be made up to 14 days prior to your season/travel card expiry date (cards renewed since 1st September can still claim for these vouchers). Vouchers will be available to collect from Ryde/Southsea terminal.
Finally & once again, please accept our apologies for any disruption you may have experienced this weekend.
Regards
Neil Chapman
Managing Director.
Image: calflier001 under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license
