Wightlink's Ryde To Portsmouth FastCat Suspended Until End Of March

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Monday, 15 February 2021 14:24

By Oliver Dyer @olidyer

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Wightlink's FastCat service will remain suspended until at least March 28, the ferry firm has revealed.

The Ryde to Portsmouth foot passenger route has been off since Christmas Eve.

The company said at the time that 'falling demand' was to blame, as Isle of Wight Radio previously reported.

An arrangement was made with Hovertravel to allow customers with Wightlink tickets and passes to use its services instead.

A Wightlink spokesperson said:

"Our H-R FastCat service is currently suspended because very few customers are using them during Tier 4 lockdown.

"Wightlink’s ticket acceptance arrangements with Hovertravel will continue until Sunday, 28 March 2021. Customers with Wightlink tickets and passes now have no need to book in advance."

Timetable updates can be found here.

*Updated*

*A Wightlink spokesperson says a decision on when the service will return has not yet been made:

"Wightlink has extended its arrangement with Hovertravel so its customers can travel by hovercraft using their Wightlink tickets until the end of March.

"A decision on the return of the FastCats will be made when the Government regulations banning leisure travel end and there are sufficient numbers of customers who want to travel on the route between Portsmouth Harbour and Ryde Pier Head."

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