DON’T PENALISE CYCLISTS ON THE HYTHE FERRY.

The Hythe Ferry is imposing an additional £1 charge on cyclists from May 1. This is on top of the £5 adult return fare and £3 child return fare. We think it is unfair to penalise cyclists. The company says it is imposing the charge because it needs to make up the revenue lost from the council’s withdrawal of the subsidy for pensioners. We appreciate that the company has lost income but it is unfair to pick on cyclists. Here are eight reasons why bicycles should remain free: 1. Cyclists do not use the pier train, which is expensive to run and can become congested. The ferry has more the double the capacity of the pier train. 2. There is ample room on the ferry for bicycles and they impose no extra costs on the company. 3. Charging for bikes makes it more likely that people will choose to drive instead, contributing to pollution and congestion. All passengers using the ferry are helping reduce pollution and congestion, cyclists even more so than some foot passengers because they do not use cars or taxis at either end of their journey. 4. Cyclists widen the catchment area of the ferry, which is an inconvenient walk from villages surrounding Hythe. 5. There is no charge for carrying other large objects on the ferry, such as prams and suitcases, so why pick on bicycles? 6. The company incorrectly states that it is following the "normal procedure" of train companies by charging for bikes. The Association of Train Operating Companies says no train company charges to carry bicycles. 7. The ferry is on National Cycle Route 2 and picks up considerable extra business because of this. The ferry company should welcome cyclists rather than penalising them. 8. Once the principle of charging for bikes has been established, the charge could be raised in future years. Please sign our petition asking the company to reconsider its decision to impose an extra charge on bicycles: Contact Tony Garton tonygarton@ajg156.freeserve.co.uk 07506125306 Ben Webster ben.webster@thetimes.co.uk 02380 847242 or 07880 505596