Many thanks to Stuart George from the Isle of Wight Bus Users Group for sending through changes to the FastCat services. Sounds like those hoping to use the Island Line train to and from Ryde Pier Head will have their journey lengthened. Ed
Wightlink have unilaterally decided to make major changes to the Ryde – Portsmouth FastCat timetable from next Monday, 30 March. They blame the recession for this decision.
Instead of the FastCat leaving Ryde at 15 mins past each hour, they will generally be leaving at 45 mins past each hour, with some exceptions.
From Portsmouth the Cat will generally be leaving at 15 mins past each hour instead of 45 mins past.
Island Line connection also thrown out
This will cause serious problems with connections on the Island side.
In the evenings those returning from the mainland will have to wait 35 mins, for the Island Line train instead of the present 5 mins.
In addition, throughout the day, the Rail Link bus from Ventnor will connect with an Island Line train that will no longer connect with the catamaran at Ryde.
Island Line are considering revising their service to connect with the FastCats again but this can’t be done until the current timetable expires in mid-May.
image: JZjr
