No Early Nights: Keep The 11:15/11.47pm Wightlink Crossing Sailing.

Goal: To reverse the decision to cut the 11:15 Portsmouth to Ryde and 11.47 Ryde to Portsmouth Caramaran service on the 1st Janurary 2013.

Earlier this week Russell Kew, CEO of Wightlink Ferries, announced the cuts of 16 late night crossings from the 1st January 2013. Amongst these is the 23:15 catamaran from Portsmouth to Ryde, the first 'late night' crossing of the evening. Under these new timetabes the last ferry of the day would be 22:15/22:47 return from Ryde. We feel that this is unacceptable.

The Portsmouth to Ryde link is one of the most valuable links to the mainland UK for Islanders. On the Island side it is one of the most connected with links to the Island bus service (Catering for all of East Wight) and the train line (which runs up the pier to the port). On the Portsmouth side the docks provide a hub for local travel and the multiple coach services that service the South as well as forming a vital connection to train lines coming from London, Guildford, Southampton, Brighton and many others. 

By removing this sailing you are dealing a crippling blow to three demographics:

- The shift workers.

With unemployment at such low levels - both on and off of the Island - cutting the last ferry to 10.15/10.47pm further reduces the amount of evening work (restaurant, bar, venue related work) available to individuals who are willing to commute.

- Those involved in entertainment.

This is a large one. This applies to those who are involved in the music scene, are involved in the theatre and many sports. Across the UK the common end time for entertainment is between 10:30pm and 11pm. Cutting the last ferry to 10.15/10.47 will stop people using the service for evenings completely, further damaging your revenue. It will also stop commuters during festival period, arguably one of your busiest periods of the year.

- Those commuting from further afield. 

Many work outside of Portsmouth, often as far as London. It takes, on average, around two hours to make the journey from London to Portsmouth harbour. This means those who are required to work shift/evening work will either be forced to cut hours or become unemployed. This is far, far from perfect.

I haven't even begun to look into the medical service, the prison service, the police service and the caring industry.

After reading the responces you've already made to comments regarding the cuts, we can understand why you are cutting services. However, we do not believe that cutting the most essential late night crossing is the answer. This isn't purely a financial issue - this is an issue of Island life. By cutting this you will be cutting yet another link to the mainland, a link that is so badly needed for an area with poor employment and limited transport. If you would like to meet and discuss alternative methords of saving/bringing in money then we are willing to talk but we are steadfast that stopping service at 10:15/10:47pm is not the way forward. 

Thank you.

Original article: http://www.wightlink.co.uk/about-us/news/securing-the-future

Russell Kew contact details: http://www.solentlep.org.uk/team/russell_kew