PETITIONRejectedPetition · petition.parliament.uk

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.

Last fetched 18 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk

Signatures

signatures

Government response threshold (10,000) · 21/10,000

Debate threshold (100,000) · 21/100,000

Petition progress2 events · Feb – Mar 2026

12 MAR 2026
Petition rejected
local
We can’t accept petitions that call for action at a local level. You could ask your MP to take action on your concerns about this issue, including by asking them to present a public (paper) petition about this. You can find contact details for your local MP here: https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP And you can find out how to ask your MP to present a public (paper) petition here: https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/sign-a-petition/paper-petitions/ You could also raise your issue with a local councillor who represents you. You can use this page to find out who your local councillors are, and how to contact them: https://www.gov.uk/find-your-local-councillors
05 FEB 2026
Petition created

Background

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.