Frustration As 40% Of Hovertravel Bookings Are No Shows

Tuesday, 7 July 2020 12:39

By Oliver Dyer @olidyer

40 per cent of people who have booked Hovertravel crossings are not showing up, with the firm only operating at around 25 per cent capacity per day.

The company says it is having to contact customers regarding their unused bookings each week.

Some passengers say it has meant they have been unable to secure a Hover flight in the mornings, leaving them with no other alternative but to use Wightlink’s Fishbourne to Portsmouth car ferry instead.

One person told Isle of Wight Radio that the extra travel means they are having to do 14 to 16 hour days, as opposed to a 12 hour one.

Hovertravel says if seats are unused they will offer them to those waiting, although it does not recommend ‘popping down’ to its Ryde or Southsea terminal.

A spokesperson said:

"We have been asking all customers to book and we do not recommend ‘popping down’.

"The teams at our terminals are managing capacity onboard, as well as cleaning the craft and terminals after every service.

"If there are customers waiting we will, of course, offer the unused seats to them, once the departure time is within five minutes."

Isle of Wight Radio has asked the firm what policies it has in place for those who repeatedly miss bookings.

The news adds to the growing pressure on Wightlink to reinstate its Ryde to Portsmouth FastCat.

Customers who usually travel on that service have been commuting on Hovertravel during the coronavirus pandemic. The Island's cross-Solent operators have come together to ensure the vital link to the mainland is still available.

Wightlink has already announced an increase in sailings on its car ferry route. However, the Island's bus and rail users' group (IWBRUG) says the absence of its FastCat is 'no longer acceptable'.

Stuart George, Chairman of IWBRUG, said:

"During lockdown we accepted ferry operators working together in the best interests of Islanders, but now with the restrictions being relaxed, it is no longer acceptable for the catamaran service to be suspended indefinitely."

It wants the FastCat route reinstated due to its directness between the train station at Ryde Pier Head and the one at Portsmouth Harbour.

Last week, Wightlink CEO Keith Greenfield told Isle of Wight that no date has yet been confirmed for the route's return.

You can listen to that exclusive interview below...

Keith Greenfield Chats To Isle Of Wight Radio
Is Wightlink in danger of going bust? Will prices be increased on its services? And when will the FastCat resume? LISTEN to our exclusive radio interview with Wightlink's CEO. READ MORE: https://www.iwradio.co.uk/news/isle-of-wight-news/wightlink-boss-issues-stark-warning-we-need-some-sort-of-summer-to-survive/
Posted by Isle of Wight Radio on Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Hovertravel says it can add a 7am and a 7.30am crossing to its timetable if demand warrants it.

However, it says it is currently 'not required' as not enough people are showing up to travel.

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Frustration As 40% Of Hovertravel Bookings Are No Shows

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