Island ferry operators are aligned to support customers

Following the recent announcement that Wightlink is temporarily suspending its Yarmouth to Lymington service, Red Funnel is supporting its fellow Isle of Wight ferry operator and offering alternative travel arrangements for customers.

The Wightlink service from Yarmouth to Lymington will be suspended after the last service on Tuesday 31st March, after the company recently announced a need to prioritise its resources during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. To support those who need to travel for essential reasons, Red Funnel will honour any pre-booked foot passenger tickets (including season ticket holders) from Wightlink customers on any Red Funnel foot passenger crossing with no additional fare payable.

Fran Collins, CEO of Red Funnel, commented: “We understand and sympathise with Wightlink’s tough decision to suspend one of its routes in these extraordinary times. No ferry operator would wish to reduce services unless absolutely necessary and we fully support Wightlink at this time. Red Funnel is doing all we can to maintain continuity for all customers across the communities we serve.”  

For more information, bookings and service updates, customers should visit the Red Funnel website: https://www.redfunnel.co.uk

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For further information regarding Red Funnel, please contact:

Enya Lumley or Abi Rumney at McKenna Townsend

T: 01425 472330
E: [email protected]

Editor’s note

About Red Funnel

Red Funnel is the original Isle of Wight ferry company with roots tracing back to 1820. Based in the UK port of Southampton, Red Funnel carries 2.3m passengers and over 800,000 vehicles on its ferry route between the UK port of Southampton and East Cowes and 1.1m passengers between Southampton and West Cowes on its Red Jet Hi-Speed service.  In addition to ferry travel, Red Funnel is the only cross-Solent operator to offer ferry inclusive bonded holiday accommodation, attraction tickets, festival and event tickets and activity packages. Sub-brands include ‘Red Jet’ (the Hi-Speed passenger only ferry service serving West Cowes) and two food & beverage brands, ‘Steam Coffee Company’ and ‘ReFuel’.  The Company is a founder member of Visit Isle of Wight Ltd, the Island’s not for profit destination management organisation and Red Funnel sponsors or supports most of the Island’s premier events including the IW Festival, Cowes Week, Rhythm Tree, The Great Wonderfest, Wight Proms, Cowes Classics, and Walk the Wight as well as a range of community and niche interest events. Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year, 2020 is Isle of Wight Independent Lifeboats.

For more information visit: www.redfunnel.co.uk