23 more inter-island return day trips secured

Monday 09 April 2018

An extra 5,000 day-trip seats are now going to be scheduled for this summer's Guernsey/Jersey inter-island ferry service.

Manche-Iles Express has been asked to provide an extra 23 weekend return trips with the costs underwritten to a maximum of £95,680 split between both islands.

The additional trips compared to the original plans were agreed upon after both Economic Development in Guernsey and Economic Development, Tourism, Sport & Culture in Jersey agreed to make the underwrite available.

This all comes following the conclusion of the tender exercise which both the States of Guernsey and the States of Jersey conducted to look for an operator to run the route.

“The Committee for Economic Development believes that the additional sailings could potentially be of economic benefit to Guernsey, and that is why we have continued discussions with Manche-Iles Express over the past few weeks," Deputy Charles Parkinson, President of the Committee for Economic Development, said.

"The additional service will provide an opportunity to understand more fully the demand for the service and any direct or indirect economic benefits from the net additional sailings from Jersey.”

The under-write will only be required if the average capacity on the extra sailings is below 60%. 

Manche-Iles Express’ enhanced 2018 timetable already offers 25,000 more day trip seats than in 2017. The extra 23 return trips take this total to just under 30,000. 

"The ability to travel between the islands is important to both us, as islanders, and our visitors," Senator Lyndon Farnham added.

"As well as the obvious economic benefit to both islands it is important as it allows us to maintain our social, cultural and sporting links. I encourage the public of both Jersey and Guernsey to support this service.”