There appears to be some collusion in relation to special offers on travel between the two companies Service from Wightlink can be poor Communication between rail services and the Wightlink Fastcat service is now non existent following privatisation Recently a delayed Southern Train caused approx 12 of us to arrive at the Fast Cat at Portsmouth Harbour as the staff were raising the ramps Despite appeals to let us on they refused to lower the ramps and we had to wait an hour for the next service The boat was still moored at this stage I call this bad service I would expect a bus driver to reopen the door If I arrived at a stop before he departed why should it be different for the Fastcat Also how can the two firms justify the great disparity between the cost of a day return by vehicle and a period return This makes the prospect of a holiday off of the island very expensive All this has to be weighed against an Island economy with above average and seasonal unemployment and low wages for those in work who find it hard to afford the fares Island firms use this fact to perpetuate disparity between Island and mainland rates of pay for the same job eg Support Worker rate of pay for Southern HousingSouth Wight Housing Assoc This is disgraceful The welfare of Islanders is being held back by high fares Lower fares would mean more of us might choose to work on the mainland market forces would then help to raise Island pay rates and also there would be an increase in demand for ferry travel The ferry companies have changed hands with profits going to the wealthy what about the service user This service should not be seen as a cash cow to milk Islanders

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