Wightlink's Portsmouth Harbour-Ryde Pier Head FastCat foot passenger service will be suspended after Friday November 13, because of Covid lockdown restrictions on non-essential travel. 

The FastCat ferries normally carry 230 people, but most recent sailings have fewer than 20 on board and sometimes single figures, said Wightlink. 

Scroll down to read more increased Hovertravel crossings... 

On the Lymington-Yarmouth route, numbers of cars are now down by 65% compared to last year - fewer than 10 on boats designed to carry up to 65 cars. 

The operator is also reducing its Lymington-Yarmouth car ferry sailings to a weekday-only two-hourly service.

Read reaction to the announcement...

Scroll down for details if you use the service to travel to school... 

It says the changes are being made because very few people need to cross the Solent at present and the routes are not sustainable.   

Wightlink’s Portsmouth-Fishbourne route will continue as an hourly service. 

From Monday 16 November 2020...

Lymington-Yarmouth timetable amended to support Island students who need to attend classes on the mainland. The first weekday sailing from Yarmouth will depart at 07:30 instead of 06:25. 

"We are sorry"

Wightlink Chief Executive Keith Greenfield said: “We are sorry to suspend our FastCats and reduce sailings between Lymington and Yarmouth, however we will still be able to transport all essential travellers and supplies to the Isle of Wight on our remaining services. 

“We will continue to monitor demand with a view to restoring services as soon as they become sustainable.  Wightlink continue to work closely with the Isle of Wight Council Transport Infrastructure Board and the other cross Solent operators to make sure the Island has the essential services it needs at this difficult time.” 

Under the leadership of Isle of Wight Council during the pandemic, all cross-Solent operators continue to work together to keep the Island connected. As part of this co-operation, Wightlink’s foot passenger tickets will be accepted on Red Funnel and Hovertravel. This includes rail tickets and season tickets.

What has Hovertravel said?

Isle of Wight County Press:

Hovertravel has added nine extra daily services, Monday to Friday:

  • Four crossings in the morning commuter period (Ex Ryde 0700 & 0730 and Ex Southsea 0715 & 0745)
  • Five crossings in the evening (Ex Ryde 1600 & 1700 and Ex Southsea 1615, 1715 & 1745).
  • Those who need to travel and who have pre-booked with Wightlink (including season card holders) will be able to pre-book Hovertravel services from 12 noon on Wednesday November 11.
  • There will be no additional fare payable and will also include use of the HoverBus for onward connections within Portsmouth.
  • In the event of adverse weather, Hovertravel is also launching a new disruption plan;  a free, dedicated Hoverbus will operate between the Hovertravel terminal in Ryde and the Fishbourne Car Ferry, for both Hovertravel & Wightlink customers.  The Portsmouth Hoverbus will also have an additional service stop at the Portsmouth Gunwharf Terminal.
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