Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Red Funnel launch new Red Jet Hi-Speed timetable

Red Funnel, the original Isle of Wight ferry company, is reorganising both its Red Jet Hi-Speed timetable and the free CityLink bus service to improve connections with trains leaving Southampton for Winchester, Basingstoke, Woking and London. Connections will also be improved on the routes to Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth with South West Trains.

The revised Red Jet Hi-Speed timetable and CityLink bus service between Terminal 2 on Town Quay and the Central Station is designed to offer a seamless link between the Red Funnel Red Jets and South West Trains London Waterloo services which depart on the hour and half hour.

From 12 November, there will be up to 34 sailings in each direction between West Cowes and Southampton, departing at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour. The first weekday sailing from West Cowes will be at 0615 hrs and the last sailing will depart from Southampton at 2345 hrs.

The new Hi-Speed schedule means that weekday journeys from West Cowes to London Waterloo take on average just 126 minutes, making Red Funnel’s Red Jet service the fastest route between London and the Isle of Wight for foot passengers.

The change comes after extensive research carried out with Island residents and passengers to establish their thoughts on an optimum Hi-Speed timetable. A large Isle of Wight household survey revealed that 88 per cent of the 10,000 respondents were either in favour or were unaffected by the change, with only 12 per cent against the move.

An onboard survey carried out on more than 1,000 customers in September showed that from the Island; nearly 53 per cent of passengers supported the change; while 35 per cent of those surveyed felt they would be unaffected. Only 12 per cent were not in favour of the move.

"This is a very significant customer driven change to our Hi-Speed timetable and follows extensive research to ensure that it meets the needs of the vast majority of our daily commuters, business travellers and leisure customers. The new schedule cuts journey times for rail customers using the West Cowes – Waterloo corridor and makes Red Funnel’s Red Jet service the fastest and most reliable route from the Isle of Wight for foot passengers". said Colin Hetherington, Commercial Director, Red Funnel.

About Red Funnel:

Red Funnel is an integrated transport, travel and leisure company employing some 500 people in Southampton and the Isle of Wight. Boasting the largest ro-ro ferries and the newest fleet serving the Island, Red Funnel Ferries carry over 3 million passengers per annum on its routes between Southampton and East and West Cowes, Isle of Wight. Red Funnel Holidays offer the widest choice of ferry inclusive holiday accommodation on the Isle of Wight which can be packaged with activities, attractions and event admission. Red Funnel Distribution, based at Newport, Isle of Wight, specialise in UK haulage services, contract distribution, palletised systems and drop trailer services.

For further press information contact:-

Viv Levene or Rachel Witham
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E-mail: vlevene@bgb.co.uk