Inter-island ferry service would ‘need 90% uptake to break-even’

In a statement to Guernsey’s States Assembly on Wednesday, Deputy Peter Ferbrache clarified the details surrounding the government’s refusal to under-write a trial, which would have taken place this summer.

Both Guernsey and Jersey were initially asked to put up £250,000 each to enable the service to go ahead.

Later, Condor’s chief executive Paul Luxon told Deputy Ferbrache it might be willing to operate the service with a reduced level of contribution of £125,000 from each island.

While the committee was in favour of the service, Deputy Ferbrache said it did not have the required funds.

After discussions with Guernsey’s Policy & Resources, funding was refused and the trial was scrapped.

‘The committee asked Condor to support this service without public funding – a request the company refused,’ Deputy Ferbrache said.

‘The States of Jersey were willing to support this service in the manner I have described.

‘Condor initially sought to work with them to provide a service focused on the needs of Jersey consumers but despite positive public statements that this would happen the service did not proceed.’

He added that the service would need a 90 per cent utilisation rate, and continued: ‘The committee has subsequently agreed publicly with our Jersey counterparts that it will work together alongside all interested parties to introduce an inter-island ferry service for 2018.’

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