Berthing trials for the Tarifa Jet fast ferry took place in St Peter Port today, ready for the new service.
Both DFDS, which has the Jersey ferry contract, and Brittany Ferries, which has the Guernsey contract, had pledged to offer a weekly inter-island service.
But while Brittany Ferries has been offering weekly sailings every Wednesday since the start of its contract in March, it has taken DFDS much longer to instigate inter-island sailings.
The DFDS sailings are now available to book, with departure times from Jersey varying from between 9.20am and 2.20pm.
As DFDS is using the Tarifa Jet, which normally operates the service between Jersey and France, some of those sailings are being hit by the new inter-island link.
Affected passengers are being contacted.
DFDS’ route director for Jersey, Chris Parker, thanked people for their patience.
‘We have worked closely with businesses and the tourism industry on our provision of inter-island services, in addition to our Poole, Portsmouth and St Malo routes,’ he said.
‘We’re excited to be able to launch these eagerly anticipated sailings to Guernsey, providing connectivity for islanders.’
Guernsey’s Economic Development committee has signed off on the service and said the sailings were on a trial basis until the end of August.
‘Alongside the investment into Islands Unlimited, which is now running an inter-island passenger ferry, this increased scheduling will offer more choice and allow greater flexibility for islanders travelling between Guernsey and Jersey,’ said committee president Neil Inder.
The announcement was welcomed by the Guernsey Hospitality Association.
‘The new Monday sailing from Jersey is welcome news. Better late than never,’ said GHA president Alan Sillett.
‘Inter-island travel passenger numbers have dropped significantly over the past few years, and if this additional sailing can work in bringing Guernsey more visitors, including those on two-centre holidays, then that is positive.’
Inter-island travellers dropped by nearly 75% in April, compared with April last year, with about 1,500 travellers, as opposed to nearly 6,000.
And passenger numbers between the islands so far this year are half of what they were this time last year.
Tourism Management Board chairwoman Hannah Beacom also welcomed the new sailing news.
‘The Tourism Management Board is pleased that this extra connectivity to Jersey will provide inter-island travellers – particularly those with cars – with an additional travel option, allowing them to plan their trip more effectively and flexibly throughout the summer,’ she said.
A test booking on the DFDS site offered a return price of £260 for one passenger and a car from Jersey to Guernsey, while a booking with Brittany Ferries from Guernsey-Jersey was £185 return on a ‘saver’ fare, or £200 standard. A foot passenger ticket on DFDS was £40 each way, while a return fare on Brittany Ferries was £75 or £80.
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