Ferry company suspends services until further notice

Ferry company suspends services until further notice

The company only restarted its scheduled passenger services between Jersey and Granville last Saturday.

However, it has been hit hard by the pandemic which has also prevented its vessels from sailing to Guernsey, Sark and Alderney.

A statement posted on the business’s Facebook page said: ‘The Bailiwick of Jersey reopened its borders on 3 July.

‘In order to limit the spread of the coronavirus on the Island, the States of Jersey have put in place health-protection measures for all arriving passengers. This has resulted in a drastic drop in the number of visitors.

‘The Departmental Council of La Manche [which oversees the company’s operations] has therefore decided, after consultation with Manche Iles Express, to suspend crossings until further notice from 25 July.’

According to Visit Jersey figures, 19,283 people came to the Island on ferries from Granville in 2018, with 18,016 arriving in 2019. By comparison, 182,611 people travelled to Jersey on Condor from St Malo in 2018 with 174,970 using that route in 2019.

Responding to the news, Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham said: ‘It is disappointing but not altogether surprising that the Manche Iles Express service to Jersey has ceased until further notice due to economic pressures.

‘Manche Iles Express is an important partner in the Island’s transport network and I look forward to them being able to resume services again as soon as possible.’

Harbourmaster Bill Sadler said that Ports of Jersey were saddened by the news.

‘The company remains an important and successful company for Jersey in terms of the travel opportunities it provides to both inbound tourism as well as local residents wishing to visit France. We acknowledge its reasons for taking this difficult decision and hope to welcome the company back to our shores in the not-too-distant future’.

The ferry company has said that all affected customers will receive a voucher equivalent
to the value of their original booking, which
will be valid until 31 December 2021.

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