Wightlink Users Group

The Wightlink User Group needs your help to get us all affordable and reliable ferry crossings.

We face two major problems. The cost of travel and the availability of the service. We have two main ferry companies which, since the routes were privatised many years ago, do not have to adhere to any formal Service Level Agreement. This means that the companies have no legal obligation to provide acceptable affordable reliable ferry services which all of us on both sides of the Solent depend on for all aspects of our lives and our Island economy.

Wightlink provides three cross Solent service routes but their services have been cut whilst the cost of travel has increased. The lack of a regular reliable timetable throughout the year and the eye watering travel costs impact on our life choices and our equality of opportunity compared to people living on the mainland. Island residents on low wages simply cannot afford to leave the island. Reduced travel costs for NHS appointments is limited, difficult to access and being reduced further still. This has a real impact on our health and quality of life. It also impacts employment and education opportunities for people on either side of the Solent, their enjoyment of the arts, access to sports venues and of course, the tourism on which our island economy depends.

Reduced services for Wightink’s FastCat services forces foot passengers onto the car ferry, which departs and arrives from completely different terminals with no dedicated transfers to get people safely on to their destinations.

So we have established the Wightlink User Group. Since it first appeared on Facebook in November 2022, over 1100 people have joined. We now have a dedicated committee which will work for you to make affordable and reliable ferry crossings a reality. Whilst respecting that the company needs to make a profit we need to ensure that Wightlink delivers a service that puts people first.

We have launched a new website and are increasing our advertising so we can reach people who do not use social media and increase our membership. We need to represent as many people as possible so Wightlink has to recognise us as the representative user group.

There is no cost to become a member of the group but we are launching this crowdfunding page alongside our new website so we can raise monies for specific actions. Initially this is to pay for the establishment of the website. We intend to be completely transparent as so you will know how much money is raised and what it is spent on.

So please donate to help us make a difference. It doesn’t matter how small - it all helps. Find out more at www.wug.org.uk