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'No Confirmed Date' For Return Of Wightlink's FastCat Service

No date has been confirmed for the return of Wightlink's FastCat service.

The route between Ryde Pier Head and Portsmouth was suspended on April 7, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The company's car ferry sailings between Lymington and Portsmouth were also stopped, while a reduced timetable was put in place between Fishbourne and Portsmouth.

As lockdown continues to be gradually eased, a number of shops and businesses have started to reopen.

From today (Monday), anyone using public transport must wear a face covering.

However, the cross-Solent firm, told Isle of Wight Radio that no date has been set for the services to resume.

A Wightlink spokesperson said:

We don’t yet have a confirmed date for reinstating our Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Pier Head and Lymington to Yarmouth routes.

"Under the leadership of Isle of Wight Council, during this crisis, we are working with the other cross-Solent operators to keep the Island connected.

"We are constantly monitoring levels of demand for our services – which very much depends on government travel regulations – and will look to reinstate routes as soon as demand looks sufficient to cover the cost of the services. 

"Everyone at Wightlink is keen to see services back to normal but given the substantial financial losses already incurred during the crisis this needs to be on a sustainable basis."

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