Red Funnel is increasing its vehicle ferry service with a further 22 sailings per week.
The increase - from July 10 - comes as Red Funnel is seeing more demand for its ferry crossings as tourism and leisure businesses reopen on the Island and mainland.
Sailings will continue to run at less than normal capacity, with a maximum of 350 passengers or 39% of normal capacity. The additional sailings will help to ensure Red Funnel is able to offer more space to Islanders and holidaymakers onboard, whilst providing greater choice and convenience to those crossing the Solent.
Red Funnel will support the additional sailings by using its third RoRo ferry at the busiest times.
Current ferry crossing times will remain as-is with the following crossings now added to the timetable:
Newly added crossings from Southampton:
11:15, 14:15, 17:15 – Monday, Friday, Sunday
11:15, 14:15 – Saturday
Newly added crossings from East Cowes:
12:45, 15:45, 18:45 – Monday, Friday, Sunday
12:45, 15:45 – Saturday
Red Funnel has revised its vehicle ferry schedule throughout the lockdown period in-line with customer demand to maintain resilience of its operation and to align with the latest government guidance, which it continues to do.
The company will also be increasing the number of freight ferry services on the Red Kestrel to 22 crossings per week (11 from each side), enabling the operator to free up additional space on its passenger ferries and adjust to the increase in demand for freight services over the summer months.
Fran Collins, CEO of Red Funnel, said:
“We are delighted to be increasing our ferry crossings from the 10th of July. We continue to see demand growing and anticipate this will increase further as the hospitality and leisure sector reopens from this weekend.
"Red Funnel is committed to supporting the Island’s recovery and these additional sailings are the right step in the right direction at the right time. Just as it was Red Funnel’s duty to keep sailing and keep the Island connected and supplied during the height of the pandemic, we’re now beginning to resume our role in supporting the Island’s vital tourism industry.
"We’re really looking forward to welcoming visitors back to the Island and likewise welcoming more Islanders back as they start to travel further afield. We’ve gone to great lengths to ensure passengers have a good experience with us, and that they can relax and sail safe.”
Red Funnel’s new vehicle ferry timetable, which will come into effect from 10 July, can be found here: redfunnel.co.uk/timtables.
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