Commuters using Red Funnel's Red Jet service were left 'fuming' after lengthy queues formed at the Isle of Wight ferry terminal this morning (Wednesday), amid the introduction of a revised winter timetable.
Those travelling on the 7.15am sailing said it was busier than usual, blaming the temporary scrapping of the 6.40am and 7.50am departures from Cowes.
Both of the sailings have been cut as part of timetable changes, which came into effect on Sunday, November 9. It is to accomodate Red Funnel’s annual winter maintenance programme.
The ferry firm said all passengers were accomodated on the 7.15am sailing this morning, and that vessel maintenance is essential and only for a short period.
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One commuter described this morning's queues as 'festival like'. A photo shows passengers lined up under the archway in the dark and rain.
"I was in the queue just under the archway onto the main road and it went much further", she said.
She said she was 'really surprised' the 6.40am and 7.50am crossing were cut, albeit temporarily.
From her own experience, she said they were some of the 'most popular' commuter boat times.
Neil Chapman, operations director at Red Funnel, said there were 184 passengers and 16 bikes on this morning's 7.15am crossing.
He said: "The higher number of bikes required extra care to store safely and securely, so loading took a little longer than usual, and the service is running around 10 minutes behind schedule."
He added that vessels are required to come out of service for short periods to undergo compulsory annual refits and passenger upgrades.
"Red Jet 6 is currently in refit at Wight Shipyard for her 2025 dry dock, and as in previous years, our normal timetable has been adjusted for a short period while these works are carried out", he said.
Red Jet 6 is planned to return to service on December 1 when the full timetable will resume and the 6.40am and 7.50am sailings will be restored.
He said: "The Hi-Speed service will return to its normal winter timetable next month, ensuring early and late crossings for customers is continued across 17 hours of the day, mirroring last year’s timetable.
"Red Jet 7 will undergo her refit in the New Year."
Meanwhile, a number of sailings have been cancelled on the East Cowes to Southampton car ferry service today.
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