Wightlink says it is "disappointing" that no support has been given to its FastCat service as the Government unveils "lifeline" funding.
The Isle of Wight's three cross-Solent operators - Wightlink, Red Funnel and Hovertravel - have all welcomed a £6.5 million financial package from the Treasury.
The money will go towards ensuring services continue to run through the coronavirus pandemic, as Isle of Wight Radio previously reported.
While Wightlink says it appreciates financial support, it claims its Ryde to Portsmouth route has been "specifically excluded".
CEO Keith Greenfield said:
"Wightlink welcomes news of some financial support for cross Solent routes announced by the Government.
"Although more essential travellers are crossing the Solent at present, compared to the first lockdown in spring 2020, Wightlink continues to make losses during the pandemic and the Government support just announced will not change that.
"The support may help us keep our Lymington-Yarmouth route open on weekdays but it is disappointing that Wightlink’s FastCat foot passenger route between Portsmouth Harbour and Ryde Pier Head has been specifically excluded from the support package."
Wightlink's foot passenger service has been suspended since last month (December).
The route was also cancelled in April and again in November due to the impact of coronavirus.
Meanwhile, Hovertravel - which has continued operating from Ryde - has also been reacting to today's announcement.
Neil Chapman, Managing Director, said:
“The current lockdown means income from passenger fares is vastly reduced. This latest funding will help us maintain our critical community service carrying medical staff, other key workers, essential freight and Royal Mail, while also operating our Island Rescue service for rapid-off island transfer of stretcher patients.
"We are grateful for the work conducted by the Isle of Wight Council and its Transport Infrastructure Board throughout this process. I would also like to thank all the staff at Hovertravel for their dedication, professionalism and commitment since the start of this pandemic. Our focus is on operating a reliable service across the Solent and, alongside our NHS partners, we are fully committed to our role in helping the region through this national emergency.”
Red Funnel says it the funds will not be enough to offset losses accumlated as a result of thr pandemic, but it says it is "grateful".
Fran Collins CEO said:
“We are grateful to learn of the financial support announced by the Government and are pleased that lifeline services to the Isle of Wight have again been recognised as critical routes, as they were in the first lockdown, along with the Isles of Scilly. We look forward to working with the Isle of Wight Council to understand the distribution of support and identify the service levels needed to keep our lifeline service in place.
"While we do not anticipate the support will be enough to offset the growing losses we have continued to absorb since the onset of the pandemic, the funding will be fully used to maintain our lifeline service as agreed with the Isle of Wight Council, and we will continue to do everything we can to keep the Island connected and supplied, as we have since March. We wish to thank the Department for Transport, the Isle of Wight Council and its Transport Infrastructure Board for their vital support in helping us continue sailing and serving our Island community.”
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