States supports French ferry operator with £140k grant
THE States has agreed to provide about £140,000 to ferry operator Manche Iles Express to support next summer’s services between France and the islands.
It has joined with the Government of Jersey, which has put up about £168,000, and Sark’s Chief Pleas, which is contributing about £2,510, to provide financial backing after a request from the Departmental Council of La Manche which followed rising operating costs which put the operation at risk.
The council itself has reportedly committed more than 20m. euros to the route since it was launched and between the three islands 370,000 euros is being provided on the condition that the service operates as intended next year.
‘I am pleased to confirm the Bailiwick of Guernsey’s support of the service next year and we look forward to working with DLCM to develop the service beyond 2025,’ said Policy & Resources president Lyndon Trott in a statement issued by the Government of Jersey. He said it would be a ‘significant loss’ to the Bailiwick economy if the service was to end.
He said that Guernsey was an excellent destination for French visitors in the summer.
However the last time the States provided subsidy funding for Manche Iles it proved to be a disaster.
In 2018 Economic Development subsidised a day-trip service between Guernsey and Jersey. It was dogged by technical problems and for the £20,000 invested just 300 passengers travelled.
Manche Iles’ 2024 schedule allowed for about 30 days of direct sailings between Guernsey and Dielette and a similar number of days sailing between Guernsey and Jersey. Most of the French sailings could be day trips for French visitors.
La Manche is also seeking funding from the ports of Carteret, Dielette and Granville.
The States of Guernsey funding is being provided through the Economic Development Committee. The 2025 Budget alludes to support of this level for passenger ferry services between Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney and France.
The ferry links between La Manche in Normandy and the Channel Islands have been offered by Manche Iles Express since 2005. It is supported by the Manche Council authorities.
However, the company has been struggling with passenger numbers following Covid and the changes brought by Brexit.
In 2019, before the pandemic, there were 19,000 travellers between Guernsey and Dielette. That compares with 11,000 last year and less than 7,000 this year.
Jersey’s minister for sustainable development, Deputy Kirsten Morel, said that islanders had benefited from the service for 20 years and it continued to be valuable for increasing tourism, enabling business opportunities or just connecting friends and family.
‘It is important we therefore support the service in the short term while working together on a longer-term solution,’ he said.
