Frustrated by the lack of connectivity between some ferry and rail services, MP Bob Seely has asked Wightlink and South Western Railway to coordinate their timetables to improve journeys for passengers.
In a letter to the transport operators, he asked them to coordinate ferry and rail timetables to reduce what he described as the “current points of friction hampering the Island's connectivity.”
He raised specific issues with the Yarmouth to Lymington ferry and the lack of late-night FastCat sailings between Ryde and Portsmouth Harbour as specific examples of passengers being let down by current services.
“Too many constituents have told of their frustrations at arriving on the mainland to see their connecting train disappearing – that just isn’t acceptable,” Bob said.
“We live in an age where connectivity is expected but, unfortunately, things seem to be moving backwards. Ensuring our ferries – which seem to be reducing in frequency – connect with ongoing train services should be the least travellers, especially regular commuters, can expect.
“The purpose of the letter is to encourage Wightlink and South Western Railway to work together and come up with a timetable that is properly integrated and does not leave passengers with journey times far longer and more difficult than they should be.”
Bob said better connectivity would complement his work with the Isle of Wight Council to improve local passenger connections including reducing the gap in active transport connectivity across the Island.
He added: “Clearly, reducing these timetable barriers for rail passengers at Yarmouth and Ryde will play an important role in the Island's broader goal of encouraging more sustainable journeys across the Island and the Solent, as well as boosting sustainable tourism and active travel journeys in general.
“Connectivity between the Island and the mainland fundamentally affects the services, opportunities, and economies which Islanders can access, and as such directly impacts the Island's prosperity as a whole. I am asking stakeholders to show flexibility in this regard and coordinate timetables to remove any unnecessary points of friction.”
