Island MP Ferry Fare Campaign Update.
Jun 18th, 2008 | By Andrew Turner | In: Campaign, Community, Island MP, Islandwide, Isle of Wight, TravelIsle of Wight MP Andrew Turner, has released an update on the campaign for the cross-Solent ferry market to be investigated by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).
To date 8,224 businesses and members of the public have supported the campaign either on line or by writing into Mr Turner’s office.
Mr Turner said;
“There has been a great deal of work going on behind the scenes over recent months. A large number of people have contributed useful information and evidence and I would particularly like to thank Connie Cowley and Pat Trevett who have voluntarily ploughed through many of the public responses and produced a very useful analysis for the OFT.”
I am also extremely grateful to the very able group of local businessmen who have been helping on a number of fronts.
The submission now includes additional arguments and information on the latest round of price rises, fuel surcharges and service cuts. I am not able to make the additional documents public as many people have given information in confidence.
I am currently seeking an appointment with the OFT in order to hand in our submission“ and all the comments from members of the public will also be passed over to them in support of the submission.
This is a campaign which has attracted cross-party and strong public support and has even been noticed by the Prime Minister, so we must be in with a good chance of getting an investigation started.
Peter Linacre, of Joe’s in Newport and Ryde, one of the businessmen who has been helping and advising Mr Turner said:
We have sought detailed, professional advice on a number of issues and that has made what was already a good case even stronger. We are all very hopeful that the OFT will start an investigation into these matters as the Island simply cannot support ever-increasing fares.
As a businessman I fully understand that the investors in the ferry companies should make a fair profit“ but the key word is˜fair The OFT are best placed to determine whether the current levels of profit are fair and reasonable under the circumstances.
If anyone still wishes to support the campaign they may do so click here: on line or by writing to me at 24 The Mall, Carisbrooke Road, Newport.
Isle of Wight Community News @Island Pulse.
My husband Peter John Taplin, and I support the campaign for an investigation into the Isle of Wight ferry fares. We are pensioners and find the fares rediculously high.
Only last week we had to visit my husbands sister in Preston as she has terminal cancer, and just to go for a few days, cost us £38.20, as foot passengers. We had to go early to catch a coach at Portsmouth, so missed out on the two for one offer, which starts at 9.35, then on the day we returned we missed out on that offer too, as it was the day of the Isle of Wight Festival.
We strongly feel that there should be a regulator. At times you feel like your in a prison on the Island, especially as a pensioner, having to consider the ferry fares before you go anywhere.
Yours Sincerely Patricia and Peter Taplin.
Read News Links below from Island Pulse on Andrew Turners Ferry Price Campaign:
Global Interest In Isle of Wight Ferry Campaign. Island Pulse: Thursday, September 27th, 2007
Ferry Price Campaign By Isle of Wight MP. Island Pulse: Tuesday, September 25th, 2007 at 6:54 am.
Isle of Wight MP and WI Probe Cross Solent Travel. Island Pulse : Friday, September 14th, 2007
Isle of Wight Ferry Passengers Petition Gains Support from Island MP. Island Pulse : Wednesday, March 7th, 2007
Isle of Wight United Front on Ferry Fares. Island Pulse : Tuesday, August 15th, 2006
Related Links and Coverage by Island Pulse.