Transport operators Wightlink and South Western Railway (SWR), have agreed to make changes to ensure there are improved ferry and rail connections for passengers on the Isle of Wight.
The move follows a letter sent last month from the Isle of Wight Conservative MP, Bob Seely, calling on the transport operators to improve the coordination of ferry and rail timetables to address the “current points of friction hampering the Island’s connectivity”.
He also repeated the frustration of Island residents with the lack of late-night FastCat sailings.
Four changes will address timetable issues
Wightlink responded to Bob Seely’s letter by promising to make four changes to address the timetable issues raised. The first change will address connectivity for passengers leaving London Waterloo after 16:00 hours.
By delaying the 18:00 sailing by five minutes, train passengers will have more time to make the sailing via the connection at Brockenhurst. Wightlink also said it would instruct Captains not to depart from Lymington until the connecting train had arrived, provided it was not unduly delayed.
Yarmouth to Lymington morning ferries
The second commitment addresses the current tight connection time for passengers wishing to catch the 08:14 train from Lymington. By adjusting the timing of the 07:30 sailing, passengers will have a seven-minute window in which to make this connection.
Wightlink has also agreed to push back the 08:45 departure from Yarmouth to 08:55, to better connect with the 09:44 SWR departure from Lymington. SWR has also agreed, from May 2023, to change the 09:44 departure from Lymington Pier to 09:57 to ensure consistency with the rail schedule for the rest of the day.
Lymington to Yarmouth evening ferry
Finally, Wightlink will adjust the timing of its final 20:00 sailing from Lymington in future timetables to ensure connection with the 19:59 arrival of the Lymington train. The ferry company has instructed its Captains not to depart from Lymington until the 19:59 train from Brockenhurst (which itself connects with Waterloo services) has arrived at Lymington Pier.
Wightlink told the MP that these timetable amendments will be implemented from 27th March 2023, at the start of the summer schedule.
Seely: Too many constituents have told of their frustrations
Bob Seely commented on the news, saying,
“I am pleased that Wightlink and South Western Railway have listened to the concerns I raised on behalf of Islanders and acted on them. I thank them for that.
“Too many constituents have told of their frustrations at arriving on the mainland to see their connecting train disappearing, myself included, so these changes are very welcome and should help to improve connections for thousands of passengers each year.”
Greenfield: We do hope that customers will support our later night Christmas charters
Regarding the lack of late-night FastCat services from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Pier Head, Wightlink Chief Executive Keith Greenfield said,
“Wightlink wants to get to a point where FastCats run later and more frequently, and we are examining trends every week for signs that we can run extra services.
“We do hope that customers will support our later night Christmas charters to build momentum regarding any decision to reintroduce additional FastCats in 2023.”
Seely: It really isn’t too much to ask
Seely expressed frustration with the lack of late-night FastCat services, saying,
“I remain frustrated about the lack of late-night FastCat services from Portsmouth Harbour after 20:00 hours.
“Wightlink’s late-night Christmas charters are a good start but these far from address Islanders’ ongoing concerns.
“Islanders deserve regular, reliable services that get them home, it really isn’t too much to ask.”
Image: yellowbookltd under CC BY 2.0
