Let’s hope service improves under the new ferry contract
IF ONE looks at the fast ferry sailings to Poole during the month of October there appears to be only one sailing every two days, the vast majority of which arrive in Poole very late in the evening (one after midnight). What sort of service does this give Channel Island passengers, and indeed those visitors facing a long journey home?
With the upcoming tender process, which I imagine Condor are most likely to win, I do hope those involved in the decision-making process are mindful of the above and seek assurances that things will improve under the new contract.
Michael Watt
La Carriere
Vale
A Condor Ferries spokesman responds:
Thank you for offering us the opportunity to reply.
Your reader is correct in noting that our high-speed sailings between the island and Poole operate four times weekly in October.
In autumn, there is a significant and seasonal decrease in demand for cross-Channel services. Condor still maintains the same infrastructure and costs for providing a year-round service, even though only a fraction of the passengers travel out of season. This pattern recurs each year and is no different to that seen at the airport.
Our schedule from the UK between 27 September and 9 November shows a marked increase compared with 2023. We will be operating a combined 152 departures from Poole and Portsmouth, representing a 25% rise in sailings and 10% increase in capacity over the period.
As for timings, we aim to avoid late arrivals into Poole but these are governed by tidal and operating restrictions in Jersey. St Helier harbour is open from 6am to 10pm and during monthly spring tides, is inaccessible for up to eight hours per day. Such factors are obviously beyond our control and impact on the timetable we can operate into both islands.
We trust this addresses the points raised by your reader.