It has been announced that an operator is being sought to run the route, and the new service – which would run from May to September each year – would be financially backed by the States in both islands if necessary.
Today Jersey and Guernsey’s governments have launched an open tender process to find an operator for the passenger-only service with the aim of providing day trips that will benefit islanders, tourists and commuters.
It is hoped that the service will boost visitor numbers in both islands and result in economic benefits on both sides of the water, as well as improving social, cultural and sporting links between the islands.
The tender also gives the successful bidder the option of providing an additional service to Alderney, with the States there willing to provide some additional financial support.
Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham said: ‘It is essential that we improve the opportunity for islanders and visitors to travel between the islands as soon as possible and the strong level of interest at this stage bodes well for the successful establishment of a service next year. I would encourage all operators who have so far expressed an interest to submit a tender.’
Earlier this year the two governments sought expressions of interest from operators and submissions were received from nine businesses capable of running the service. All of those operators will now be invited to submit a tender and as it is an open process companies which did not submit an expression of interest can also apply.
For more information visit channelislandtenders.com.
