MP Bob Seely has called on the Government to use its powers to help address the problems Island residents face with repeated delays and cancellations on cross-Solent ferry services, along with increasing fares.
During a parliamentary debate on Tuesday (26 March) Mr Seely told government minister Huw Merriman MP about Islanders’ frustrations.
He said: “I will come straight to the point: the relationship between the ferry firms and the people of the Isle of Wight is breaking down. The ferries are a genuine lifeline; we have no choice but to use them. There is no public service obligation. We need to get a better deal.”
Mr Seely went on to highlight the problems: “First, as I have said, the ferry firms have no legal obligation to meet timetables or standards of service above the minimum levels of safety required in law. The Island’s connectivity is entirely at the discretion of the firms, which are answerable to—and overwhelmingly driven by—the needs of their shareholders.”
“They have no public service obligation and no regulator, and they set their own service standards.”
“Secondly, the firms’ corporate structures and incredibly inflated valuations are becoming a critical issue for the Island. I also believe they are bad for the United Kingdom.”
Mr Seely put a series of questions to the Minister asking whether the Department for Transport would support a new ferry firm, what scope there was for the new Rail Bill to be applied to the Isle of Wight ferries, and with specific regard to the sale of Red Funnel, he asked what powers the Government has to a) block a sale and b) prevent the company from selling their third passenger ferry.
He went on to suggest ideas:
- An independent regulator to oversee fair competition.
- Government regulation of timetables.
- Central government funding for healthcare-related visits to the mainland.
- Voluntary regulation whereby the ferry firms agree service levels through a formal process, potentially with enhanced powers for the Island’s Transport Infrastructure Board.
Mr Seely said he would be writing to the Competition and Markets Authority next week to ask about the scope for an inquiry into the ferries and how it could be initiated.
The Minister replied: “I know that my hon. Friend’s recent plan for the future of cross-Solent ferries, which I have in my hand, is the culmination of all his hard work. It offers a route map towards better services, better prices and ticketing, and greater transparency over the ownership structures of ferry operators. I can assure him that the Department for Transport will take time to digest the report thoroughly, and we will respond to all the questions he has asked me this afternoon.”
Last week Mr Seely launched a detailed report which highlighted the problems and potential solutions for cross-Solent ferries. He is seeking feedback from residents in the next two months. The report can be viewed here: www.bobseely.org.uk/ferry-services
