Rejected petition Subsidise the Isle of Wight ferries so they are affordable to Island residents.

The Isle of Wight is in the bottom quartile of the UK economy with higher than average levels of poverty. The ferries provide a critical lifeline but are unregulated, and fares have now risen to unaffordable levels for many. We need the Government to step in and subsidise fares for IOW residents.

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Unregulated private equity companies have pushed up ferry fares. Residents of the Isle of Wight, making personal visits to the Mainland, are now in need of financial support - in the form of a Government subsidy - to afford access to essential visits to the Mainland. Establishing this subsidy would be a useful objective for the newly formed Cross Solent Transport Group, to deliver value for Island residents as well as the ferry companies; facilitating economic growth through increased travel.

This petition was rejected

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Date submitted 5 February 2026
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