WIGHTLINK TO INCREASE MULTILINK VEHICLE FARES FROM 14TH APRIL
Wightlink is increasing the cost of its Multilink Vehicle Pass fares again, with the cross-Solent operator partially blaming the Labour Government’s National Insurance contributions hike for the change.
Increasing operational costs are also being attributed to the price hike, which will see the average price per crossing go up by £3.25. It will be the second price increase this year, following a hike back in January.
At the moment, 10 singles for a standard car costs £365 – but it’s thought that the price is going up by around 10%. The new price is expected to be over £400, which will make a return crossing around £80.
Multilink Foot Passenger Passes and Season Tickets are not affected. However, Island Echo is told that the cost of 16 hours of parking at Ryde Pier Head is increasing by £2.50.
Islanders still have time to top up their Multilink Vehicle Pass at the current rate, but must do so before the changes come into effect on Monday 14th April.
Wightlink has also confirmed that up to 3 adults from the same household can now share one Vehicle Pass. Payment can be split across 3 interest-free instalments using PayPal, and customers renewing with 20 crossings or more will receive discount vouchers for friends and family, including those living on the mainland.
A new Island Link brochure will be delivered to every home on the Isle of Wight next month – the third in the past year – highlighting additional savings on ferry travel.
Meanwhile, from next Monday (7th April), Wightlink’s Discounted Fares scheme will be extended to include Islanders in receipt of Universal Credit. It is already available to those on Council Tax support and Housing Benefit.
Katy Taylor, Chief Executive of Wightlink, says:
“This is not a decision that has been taken lightly as we understand the impact this will have on our customers.
“Our first duty as an operator is to provide lifeline services to Island residents which is why our Multilink ticket price changes have been kept below inflation for more than a decade. However, in common with businesses across the UK, we are now facing increased operational costs, driven partially by the rise in National Insurance Contributions, meaning we are having to make changes to ticket pricing. This will ensure we are able to continue to pay our staff fairly and provide the reliable services expected of us.
“Multilink still represents great value for money for Island residents. I am committed to working with them to better understand what more Wightlink can do to support them and their communities.”
