Red Funnel to double daily Red Jet crossings from Saturday and increase vehicle ferry sailings from 1 August

Red Funnel is pleased to announce it will be doubling its daily Red Jet crossings starting this Saturday, 25 July, taking the service from six daily crossings from each side to twelve, as follows:

Departing Southampton (Terminal 2): 05:35*, 06:55, 08:15, 9:35, 10:55, 12:15, 13:35, 14:55, 16:15, 17:35, 18:55, 20:15

Departing West Cowes: 06:15*, 07:35, 08:55, 10:15, 11:35, 12:55, 14:15, 15:35, 16:55, 18:15, 19:35, 20:55

These new crossing times will remain consistent 7 days a week, with the exception of Saturday and Sunday, where there will be no 05:35 crossing from Southampton, and no 06:15 crossing from West Cowes.

Red Funnel is also pleased to confirm that it will increase its vehicle ferry crossings from 1 August, returning to a more familiar hourly service between 06:00 and 19:00 seven days a week, while also maintaining its late night and early morning crossings.

The increase in sailings on the vehicle ferries and Red Jets is supported by increasing demand for travel and is an encouraging sign as the Island recovers from the effects of COVID-19.

Sailings will continue to run at a reduced passenger capacity across all vessels to allow for social distancing, and the new times will allow for greater convenience and choice for those travelling across the Solent. Red Funnel has continued to adapt its ferry schedule since March to support the requirements of the Isle of Wight and the latest government guidelines, while maintaining the resilience of its operations.

Fran Collins, CEO of Red Funnel, said: “We are delighted to announce we are increasing our ferry crossings once again. The growth in demand for travel is great news for the Island’s recovery and we are pleased to increase our services to support our customers’ needs. We are proud to serve the Island and to do our part in supporting all elements of its recovery, including the tourism industry and local businesses. We have taken all the measures necessary to help our passengers feel safe including achieving the DNV GL COVID-19 Statement of Compliance and we can’t wait to welcome more visitors back to the Island while supporting our regular Island commuters.”

Red Funnel also wishes to highlight to customers that face coverings, which must already be worn when travelling on board its ferries, will also be mandatory within the interior of all Red Funnel terminals as of Friday 24 July. This change coincides with the latest government’s rules concerning the mandatory use of face coverings in shops and supermarkets from this Friday.

Red Funnel’s new vehicle ferry timetable, coming into effect from 1 August, along with the new Red Jet timetable commencing 25 July, can be found here: redfunnel.co.uk/timetables.

All newly added vehicle ferry crossing times are now available to book online via redfunnel.co.uk or via 023 8001 9192.
 

Ends

For further information regarding Red Funnel, please contact:

Enya Lumley or Mel Piercy at McKenna Townsend

T: 01425 472330
E: [email protected]

Editor’s note

About Red Funnel

Red Funnel is the original Isle of Wight ferry company with roots tracing back to 1820. Based in the UK port of Southampton, Red Funnel carries 2.3m passengers and over 800,000 vehicles on its ferry route between the UK port of Southampton and East Cowes and 1.1m passengers between Southampton and West Cowes on its Red Jet Hi-Speed service. In addition to ferry travel, Red Funnel is the only cross-Solent operator to offer ferry inclusive bonded holiday accommodation, attraction tickets, festival and event tickets and activity packages. Sub-brands include ‘Red Jet’ (the Hi-Speed passenger only ferry service serving West Cowes) and two food & beverage brands, ‘Steam Coffee Company’ and ‘ReFuel’. The Company is a founder member of Visit Isle of Wight Ltd, the Island’s not for profit destination management organisation and Red Funnel sponsors or supports most of the Island’s premier events including the IW Festival, Cowes Week, Rhythm Tree, The Great Wonderfest, Wight Proms, Cowes Classics, and Walk the Wight as well as a range of community and niche interest events. Red Funnel’s Charities of the Year, 2020 are The Leaf Foundation (Monkey Haven) and Daily Chains IW.
For more information visit: www.redfunnel.co.uk