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Post by ferryfast admin on Sept 7, 2011 14:49:22 GMT -5
Stena to suspend fast ferry service to Ireland
by Elizabeth Cole www.comparecarhire.co.uk/news/stena-to-suspend-fast-ferry-service-to-ireland-53830799.html
August 31st, 2011
Stena line has announced that as of the middle of next month it will be suspending its fast ferry service to Ireland from Wales. The HSS Explorer, which carries passengers between Dun Laoghaire and Holyhead, will now become a seasonal service because of rising fuel costs, according to Stena. The company said it has been losing money on the route for several years.
Michael McGrath, in charge of Stena’s Irish Sea business, said the ferry firm has been trying to cut its costs for a number of years on the route, but had been unable to turn a loss into a profit. He added that most of the revenue on the route was accumulated during peak summer periods when there was an increase in demand from coach and car passengers.
McGrath went on to say that while it was regrettable that the service was to be withdrawn, Stena could not continue to sustain the financial loss. The service, which provides passengers with one crossing per day, will suspend operations as of 13 September.
Stena has confirmed that it will continue to operate its two traditional ferries between the ports as normal. McGrath said that the two roll on/roll off ferries as well as the new seasonal timetable for the fast ferry would continue to provide passengers with the service they expect between the UK and Ireland.
Fastnetline, the ferry operator which runs a service between Cork and Swansea, has also announced that it will be cutting costs by reducing return sailings to two each week over the winter period.___________________
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