| Wightlink: cross-Solent ferries between Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:09, 15th October 2025 |     |
From the BBC:
Ferry strike vote called off by RMT after talks
A ballot on industrial action on cross-Solent ferries has been cancelled.
Wightlink had proposed staff cuts, potentially affecting up to 50 roles, as part of a project which it said would improve the business.
Following "constructive talks" with the RMT Union, Wightlink said it had withdrawn its original proposal and would continue discussions.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey confirmed its members would not be balloted on strike action, saying it had been a "successful outcome".
Wightlink said it had been consulting the union over proposed changes for the Rostering and Operational Efficiency Project - which it described as a "five-year company plan to modernise the business and to make improvements for passengers".
Chief executive Katy Taylor said "We take our responsibility as a lifeline service seriously and we are doing everything we can to avoid industrial action as we know the impact it has on our customers. We will continue talks with the RMT and hope to agree a way forward for changes which are needed to further improve our services, increase flexibility and to add additional sailings."
The maritime union had previously said the proposals would put 160 jobs at risk and threatened to ballot for industrial action unless the "reckless plans" were withdrawn.
Following the talks, Mr Dempsey said: "This is a successful outcome for RMT members at Wightlink who stood together and showed the company they would not accept threats to their jobs or safety. RMT is always prepared to engage in genuine talks about improvements, but we will never accept changes that put jobs or safety on the line."
Wightlink operates vehicle and passenger services between Portsmouth and Ryde as well as vehicle ferries between Yarmouth and Lymington.
A ballot on industrial action on cross-Solent ferries has been cancelled.
Wightlink had proposed staff cuts, potentially affecting up to 50 roles, as part of a project which it said would improve the business.
Following "constructive talks" with the RMT Union, Wightlink said it had withdrawn its original proposal and would continue discussions.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey confirmed its members would not be balloted on strike action, saying it had been a "successful outcome".
Wightlink said it had been consulting the union over proposed changes for the Rostering and Operational Efficiency Project - which it described as a "five-year company plan to modernise the business and to make improvements for passengers".
Chief executive Katy Taylor said "We take our responsibility as a lifeline service seriously and we are doing everything we can to avoid industrial action as we know the impact it has on our customers. We will continue talks with the RMT and hope to agree a way forward for changes which are needed to further improve our services, increase flexibility and to add additional sailings."
The maritime union had previously said the proposals would put 160 jobs at risk and threatened to ballot for industrial action unless the "reckless plans" were withdrawn.
Following the talks, Mr Dempsey said: "This is a successful outcome for RMT members at Wightlink who stood together and showed the company they would not accept threats to their jobs or safety. RMT is always prepared to engage in genuine talks about improvements, but we will never accept changes that put jobs or safety on the line."
Wightlink operates vehicle and passenger services between Portsmouth and Ryde as well as vehicle ferries between Yarmouth and Lymington.
| Re: Wightlink: cross-Solent ferries between Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:33, 15th November 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Ryde Pier Head ferry parking tariff to allow shorter stays
Ferry passengers park at Ryde Pier Head before ferry crossings to Portsmouth
Parking charges at an Isle of Wight transport hub are to be revised to allow motorists to pay for shorter stays.
Motorists parking at Ryde Pier Head, many taking passenger ferries to Portsmouth, currently have to pay £11.50 for periods ranging between two and 16 hours.
From December, new tarrifs for four, six and eight hours are set to be introduced.
Ferry operator Wightlink said the new bands would make it "easier and more flexible" for customers to park at the site.
Parking will remain free for the first 30 minutes. Instead of having to pay £11.50, regardless of duration, a four hour stay will now cost £5.50. Six hours will cost £7.50 and eight hours will cost £9.50. Two hour's parking will remain at £3.50 and a £13.50 charge will remain for up to 24 hours.
The ferry operator said: "Following customer feedback, we're making it easier and more flexible for customers to park at Ryde Pier Head. From 1 December, we're introducing additional time bands, giving passengers even more choice for shorter stays. We'll continue listening to Island residents to improve our services."
The car park is at the end of Victorian Pier which reopened in 2024 after a £10m refurbishment of the Ryde Interchange. Built in 1814, Ryde Pier is the UK's oldest and the second-longest seaside pier in the country at half a mile long.
Ferry passengers park at Ryde Pier Head before ferry crossings to Portsmouth
Parking charges at an Isle of Wight transport hub are to be revised to allow motorists to pay for shorter stays.
Motorists parking at Ryde Pier Head, many taking passenger ferries to Portsmouth, currently have to pay £11.50 for periods ranging between two and 16 hours.
From December, new tarrifs for four, six and eight hours are set to be introduced.
Ferry operator Wightlink said the new bands would make it "easier and more flexible" for customers to park at the site.
Parking will remain free for the first 30 minutes. Instead of having to pay £11.50, regardless of duration, a four hour stay will now cost £5.50. Six hours will cost £7.50 and eight hours will cost £9.50. Two hour's parking will remain at £3.50 and a £13.50 charge will remain for up to 24 hours.
The ferry operator said: "Following customer feedback, we're making it easier and more flexible for customers to park at Ryde Pier Head. From 1 December, we're introducing additional time bands, giving passengers even more choice for shorter stays. We'll continue listening to Island residents to improve our services."
The car park is at the end of Victorian Pier which reopened in 2024 after a £10m refurbishment of the Ryde Interchange. Built in 1814, Ryde Pier is the UK's oldest and the second-longest seaside pier in the country at half a mile long.
