Red Funnel announces more Red Jet sailings and return of the Quayconnect bus service starting 12 April

Red Funnel is pleased to announce it will be expanding its Red Jet timetable alongside reinstating its Quayconnect bus service from Monday, 12 April.

Coinciding with the end of lockdown and the easement of government restrictions, the expanded Red Jet service means a return to all-day coverage, offering customers 12 departures from each side of the Solent, Monday to Friday and 11 departures on weekends. From West Cowes, sailings will depart every 80 minutes between 06:15 and 20:55 Monday to Friday, and between 07:35 and 20:55 on weekends.

From Southampton, sailings will depart every 80 minutes between 05:35 and 20:15 Monday to Friday, and between 06:55 and 20:15 on weekend. Red Funnel is also thrilled to announce the return of its Quayconnect bus service, which offers transport from its Southampton Red Jet terminal at Town Quay, taking passengers into the heart of the city with stops including West Quay Shopping Centre and Southampton Central Train Station.

Funded by Red Funnel and operated by Bluestar, the Quayconnect will remain available to all Red Jet passengers as normal and will be free of any additional charge. Bus times will align with Red Jet departures/arrivals times and offer full coverage with the exception of picking up passengers departing West Cowes at 19:35 and 20:55 or dropping off passengers departing Southampton at 05:35 or 20:15.

Click here for timetables

Fran Collins, CEO of Red Funnel, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to share this positive news with passengers and to see the Red Jet service back to a more frequent schedule in line with the easing of government restrictions. Whilst we’re starting with a one-boat service, we will be closely monitoring customer demand and will adapt our operations and timetables accordingly, to ensure we continue to support our customers in line with the latest government guidance and safety advice.”

In line with this change, pricing for individual tickets will revert to the standard structure, with the reintroduction of the operator’s super-off-peak, off-peak and standard fares.

The Red Jet service has been operating to a lifeline, ‘commuter’ timetable following a significant reduction in demand for travel services during the latest lockdown period, alongside Red Funnel’s need to maintain operational resilience.

In continued support of social distancing and the company’s ‘Sail Safe’ program, Red Jet capacity will remain at a reduced maximum capacity of 148 passengers (53% of normal capacity) with restricted seats, and enhanced cleaning and sanitisation between crossings.

By law, face coverings continue to be mandatory for all travellers, except in specific cases of exemption as outlined by the government.

For FAQs and more information visit www.redfunnel.co.uk

Ends

For further information regarding Red Funnel, please contact:

Enya Lumley or Leila Andrews 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 its on board café, ‘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 Charity of the Year, 2021 is Isle of Wight Independent Lifeboats.

For more information visit: www.redfunnel.co.uk