From Isle of Wight County Press yesterday, the above and:

Conservative MP Joe Robertson has taken to social media to blast Isle of Wight ferry firm Wightlink after spotting a return vehicle ferry fare costing more than £500 during the Isle of Wight Festival. The Isle of Wight East MP said the operator had “smashed the £500 barrier” by charging £511.50 for a return car journey across The Solent.

“It’s an absolute insult,” he wrote. “So, it’s around the Isle of Wight Festival time, but £500 shouldn’t be allowed at any time — and we know the ferry companies are ripping off Islanders and visitors throughout the year.” ¹

The Isle of Wight Festival is headed up by Scot, Lewis Capaldi. There was a music festival on Arran at the weekend, the Arran Rock ‘n’ Blues Fest. No harm to the likeable young Lewis, but I know where this 74 year-old would have gone.

Could I have afforded it though? Maybe CalMac prices are similar? For four frustrated bluesmen in a Vauxhall Zafira, Ardrossan to Brodick return, this weekend coming, it’d be £42.40!

The Isle of Wight crossing is 6 miles while the Arran crossing is 22 miles, nearly four times as far.

How is this all possible?

CalMac is massively subsidised by all of us taxpayers and pays no dividends to shareholders nor inflated executive bonuses.

Sources:

1. https://www.countypress.co.uk/news/26089581.isle-wight-mp-slams-511-ferry-fare-absolute-insult/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawRrz9lleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeycupMg09l2XhGki4Y6E2WIJHb896IVRk5IX36he3S8l12R6G0lofDGAFUQU_aem_H56n_p3qMzSz9EyEacUeYQ#Echobox=1778254142
2. https://www.calmac.co.uk/en-gb/destinations/arran/#/