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Hovertravel Promises Extra Crossings Between Ryde And Southsea

An extra two crossings will operate on Hovertravel's weekday services from next week.

The firm says it wants to ensure that key workers and essential supplies continue to flow across the Solent

It is currently the only foot passenger-only service connecting Ryde to the mainland. Wightlink's FastCat route is currently suspended due to what the company is calling "falling demand".

Last week, Hovertravel received extra funding from the Government, alongside Wightlink and Red Funnel. Wightlink's FastCat service was overlooked, however.

Loretta Lale, head of commercial at Hovertravel, said:

“We are in constant communication with the NHS Trusts on both sides of the Solent, to make sure we are answering their requirements for flying medical professionals to and from the Island. Similarly we listening to those key workers who are traveling with us to identify the times of the day when extra services are needed.

"With our short journey time of less than 10 minutes and flexible operation we can add in services on an ad hoc basis but we also want to give confidence to those who need to travel and have made these extra services a permanent addition to our timetable.”

From Monday (25), the weekday timetable will include a 16:45 crossing from Ryde and a 17:00 flight from Southsea.

Hovertravel’s timetables can be viewed on their website: https://www.hovertravel.co.uk/timetables/

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